Roland Joseph Coderre Jr.

He was a graduate of St. Anthony High School and Bristol Community College. Roland served honorably in the United States Army and as a Lieutenant in the New Bedford Fire Department for 35 years. He enjoyed football, basketball, gardening and played hockey for the New Bedford Fire Department. He loved vacationing and fishing in sunny Siesta Key, Florida during the winter months.

Roland was a member of the New Bedford Washington Club where he forged great friendships and was admired and respected by many. He loved his family, friends and country, and was happiest during his weekly family dinners.

He will be best remembered for being a man of few words, though filled with knowledge and wisdom, for his incredible work ethic that will live on within his family, whistling to his favorite tunes in the early morning hours, feeding the backyard birds, relaxing on the patio and lanai, reading a good book, being a strong supporter of the NRA and watching the Weather Channel or Fox News.

He was the son of the late Roland J. Coderre Sr. and Anna (Belanger) Coderre. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Muriel (Montplaisir) Coderre and their three children, Arlene Coderre-DiCarlo of Taunton, Sharon Dufresne and her husband, David, of Fairhaven, and Roland J. Coderre III and his wife, Ashley, of Port Charlotte, Florida. He was also the loving brother to Simone Callahan, Raymond Coderre and Paul Coderre.

Roland was blessed with his grandchildren Taylor and Joseph Schnupp, Monica and Jonathan Cote, Keylon and Zoe Coderre, Madison Dufresne, Ethan Coderre, Peyton Dufresne, and Owen Coderre. As well as his great-grandchildren, Bryce, Gavin, Connor and Wells.

A private military service will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery followed by a celebration of life. In remembrance of Roland’s life, his family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his honor to The Washington Club in New Bedford, Massachusetts (508-992-8511).

“You may be gone from our sight, but you are never gone from our hearts.”