Roland "Mac" W. Gendron

Born in New Bedford, son of the late Joseph and Marie (Proulx) Gendron. He was a lifelong New Bedford resident. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church, New Bedford where he was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector.

At the age of 17, Roland “Mac” quit school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Serving in Korea, he fought in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir and was a member of the Chosin Few.

Roland was a New Bedford Firefighter until he was forced to retire in 1975 from a job he loved because of job related injuries. He was Head of Security at Parkwood Hospital and the president of the New Bedford Vocational High Booster Club.

Mr. Gendron was a big advocate of our Nation’s Veterans. He was a member of the Freetown VFW Post 6643 where he went through the ranks from Surgeon, Chaplin to Post Commander. He then served in the District 6 and State VFW becoming Massachusetts VFW State Commander and served as the State POW Chairman. Mac was also New Bedford’s Veteran of the Year.

Also known as the Tootsie Roll Man, a candy he loved from the Chosin Reservoir and always had a bag of them ready to handout, he went to many area Elementary schools performing flag ceremonies and teaching the students about the flag and patriotism. The family encourages everyone to Google the history of the importance of the Tootsie Roll at the Chosin Reservoir.

Roland had a great sense of humor and always had a joke for you.

He is survived by his two sons, Ronald Gendron and his wife Cathy of New Bedford, Russell Gendron and his wife Karen of Lakeville; a daughter, Rochelle Gendron and her wife Lori of Fall River; four grandchildren, Erin DeMelo, Sean Gendron, Leah Gendron, and Lily Gendron; and nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Joseph Gendron, Armand Gendron, Eledore “Pete” Gendron, Lydia Goulet, Grace Lebeau, Jeannette Sylvia, and Georgette Giroux.

His funeral will be Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 9 a.m. from the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, 343 Tarkiln Hill Rd., New Bedford. Burial will be in Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 12:30pm. Visitation will be Wednesday 4-8 p.m. For online tribute/directions: www.rock-funeralhome.com.