Joseph R. Gendron, Sr.
August 29, 1946 ~ October 29, 2017 (age 71) 71 Years OldShare using:
Joseph Roger Gendron Sr., 71, of Coventry, passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening, Octboer 29, 2017 at his home. Born in West Warwick, RI he was the husband of the late Deborah A. (Barnes) Gendron and the son of the late Adrian and Alma (Monte) Gendron. He is survived by his cherished son Joseph R. Gendron, Jr. of Coventry, his grandson Joseph R. Gendron III, his daughter Kimberly Gendron-Teves of Bristol, RI, and her five children Gerard, Alexandra, Nicholas, Benjamin and Addison.
After graduating from West Warwick High School in 1964, 'Big Joe' went to work for Electric Boat, a company through whose ranks he would continue to rise for the next fifty-one years before retiring comfortably alongside his beloved wife and life partner, Deborah in 2014. Both were avid Celtics fans.
Despite decades of waking before 4 am to get to work, Joe was a stalwart presence in many of the youth sports organizations in and around North Kingstown, where his son played both basketball and baseball.
Over the course of twenty years, Joe was a head coach of teams from both Wickford Little League and Wickford Senior League, including their respective All-Star Programs and North Kingstown Recreational Basketball and their All-Star Programs. He was an early leader in the Rhode Island Cub Scouts program in the 90's.
He was loved and respected by many young athletes, and was viewed as a surrogate father by the countless neighborhood kids who spent decades congregating at his centrally located home, many of whom today, still maintain the bonds of friendship that were forged in his presence.
A funeral home service will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 12:00 (noon) in the Gorton-Menard Funeral Home & Crematory, 721 Washington Street, Coventry, RI. Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 6, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:30 pm. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to: RI Epilepsy Center, 450 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence, RI 02914.
For online condolences please visit www.gortonmenardfuneralhome.com
