Robert N. Gendron Obituary

The Lord took Robert Nazaire Gendron home peacefully on January 14, 2021. He was 96 years old when he finally closed his eyes and whispered the words, “I love you” for the last time.

He is now rejoined with our mom, Claire- his wife of 37 years, his brothers Montcalm, Florian, and Maurice, sisters Doris and Claire, and the rest of his loving family and friends who left this earth before him. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Rita (Morin) Gendron. Bob was blessed by his marriage to Rita and they remained deep soulmates and supporters of each other until the end. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother, with a beautiful soul and a warm happy smile.

He is also survived by his sons Stephen (Elizabeth) Gendron of Albuquerque, NM and Thomas (Cynthia) Gendron of Hampton, NH and stepsons Roger (Paulette) Morin of Arundel, ME and Norbert (Kathleen) Morin of Richmond, RI. Grandchildren Sara (Marcel) St Pierre, Annie (Ken) Tekin, Kimberly Gendron, Caleb Gendron, Jennifer Segala, Raymond Morin and James (Shannon) Morin and nine great-grandchildren. There are also many nieces, nephews, and cousins that love and will miss Uncle Bob. He was the step brother of the late Constance Curran, Paul Beauregard, Fernand Satterly, and Lucille Beauregard.
Bob was born July 9, 1924 in West Warwick, Rhode Island to parents Lorenzo and Yvonne Gendron. Due to his father’s early death, the Depression, and WWII he was not afforded much formal education but he was an extremely wise, informed and creative person who had a sharp wit and a quick sense of humor.

Bob joined the Navy in 1942 and after completing numerous naval training schools, served aboard the USS Intrepid CVS 11, The Fighting I, as an Aviation Ordinance man. His time serving his country in the Navy gave him pride and remained a pivotal highlight in his life. After the war he worked as a lace weaver for over twenty years and various other jobs when the lace trade faded. He finished out his working career at the University of Rhode Island as a licensed plumber retiring in 1987.

Bob and Claire built their home in Coventry with brothers and sisters living nearby. They also enjoyed a camp on Beach Pond where they spent many summers relishing picnics and clam bakes with extended family. The family was large and deeply connected, having much fun together. Bob had a love for people and was very proud of his family and friends.

Steve and Tom will remain forever grateful for his imparting to them the value of courage, honesty, love of learning, hard work and kindness to others. All who knew him will remember not only his sense of humor and unselfish spirit, but also his Depression-born talent for worry- even to the point of worrying that he didn’t have something to worry about!

We cannot say enough about the loving support and enjoyment of Rita’s wonderful family in his life. Norbert and Kathy live nearby in RI and were available to quickly help in innumerable ways. Bob was very comfortable with all the Morin family. His life was rich for it, as is ours.

Words are inadequate to describe the loving care Bob and Rita received from Jackie Grant, our cousin. We as a family are so very grateful for the care they have received from the management team and staff at Brookdale West Bay in Warwick. We are also thankful for the attentive and caring doctors and nurses at Kent Hospital and Grandview Center and especially the compassionate Covid Team at Miriam Hospital.

We take comfort in knowing that our life here is brief but that we will rejoin again later due to the forgiveness given us by the grace of Jesus Christ. Bob will be missed and will always be remembered with all the love and respect he deserves.

Due to Covid restrictions services will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St Vincent de Paul Society, 25 Webb St, Cranston RI, 02920 or svdpri.org.