Roland Castonguay

Roland Castonguay of Acushnet, passed away peacefully in his home on November 30, 2024 at the age of 99 years young. He was the widower of Barbara (Spooner) and the eldest son of Isadore and Eva (Gagnon).

He attended New Bedford Vocational High School. In June of 1943 he joined the United States Navy and proudly served his country on the Richard S. Bull DE402 as a Machinist Mate 2nd Class stationed in the South Pacific. His desire was to be a machinist, but instead his life took a different path. In 1947 he chose to be a part of the well-known family business, Pop Casey’s Lunch. He spent the better part of his life running the business along with many generations of family and employees who have become family.

When he was younger he never really had time for himself because he was busy with the business and raising six daughters. In 1993, he actually took time off from work to attend the Legion World Series in Oregon to see his grandson Keith play. It was his first time ever flying. Later in life, when we finally talked him into retiring, he started to enjoy life and did some more traveling. In 2012, at the age of 87, he went to Alaska to visit his youngest daughter for a week and traveled in a camper to see the state from one end to the other. He always used to say, “my best trip ever”.

He belonged to and ran several area clubs which he really enjoyed and made many friends throughout the years. They include most recently St. Theresa’s and Don Who. In the past he was one of the original Acushnet Memorial Club members, Catholic Order of

Foresters, Garment Workers, Royal Travelers and Jolly Seniors. He also belonged to DESA which is comprised of other naval veterans and their families and right up until the pandemic he organized and attended many meetings, the American Legion Post 265 and the Acushnet VFW. He went to Washington DC on the Honor flight with his daughter and was so overwhelmed by the wonderful way the veterans were treated with respect. He also had “Pop Casey’s” bowling league and bowled every Tuesday evening for over 60 years.

He is survived by 5 daughters, Diane Ashley (Michael) of Acushnet, Cheryl Hathaway of Acushnet, Sandra Daher (Brent Hartley) of Acushnet, Michelle Castonguay of Acushnet, Danielle Castonguay of Acushnet, and son-in-law Douglas Baker of Fairhaven; 12 grandchildren, Brian Ashley, Kimberly Soares, Keith Ashley, Beth Ashley, Christopher Hathaway, Andrea Souza, Jodie Hollinrake, Laurie Bryant, Casey Baker, Ashley Gray, Jessalyn Thompson and Eric Castonguay; 15 great-grandchildren, Brianna Ashley, Hunter Soares, Logan Soares, Lorelai Ashley, Leo Braz, Alexis Moreira, David Hollinrake, Cody Bryant, Chloe Bryant, Dylan Gordon, Haleigh Oldham, Kayne Thompson, Kannon Thompson, Kyson Thompson and Kennedy Thompson; and 1 great-great-grandchild, Ezralyn Santos. He is also survived by a brother Donald Castonguay of Hazel Crest, IL and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Herve, Raymond, Gerard, Roger and Isidore Jr. and sisters Theresa Gaudette who he affectionately called “T” and Irene Younger, his daughter Lynn Baker and his son-in-law Donald Hathaway.

There are not enough words to express what a void is left in the lives of those who knew and loved him or how much he will be missed by everyone.

His Funeral Service will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 9:00AM in the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02745 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in St. Francis Xavier Church, 125 Main Street, Acushnet, MA 02743. Relatives and friends are invited. Visitation Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00PM. Burial in Acushnet Cemetery. To leave a note of condolence: www.rock-funeralhome.com