Roland R. Benjamin, 91, of New Bedford passed away suddenly on Saturday September 21, 2024.  He was the husband of Jeannine C. (Vautrin) Benjamin; they had been married for 71 years.

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Honorat and Maria Alexina (Maranda) Benjamin, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.  He was graduate of St. Anthony Grammar and High Schools, and attended Southeastern Massachusetts University, now UMass Dartmouth.

Roland was formerly employed as a quality control manager at the Acushnet Company Rubber Division retiring after 36 years of service.  He then began a second career as a funeral assistant at several area funeral homes for 22 years until his final retirement.

During the Korean War, he served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army 5th Infantry Division, and was awarded the National Defense Medal, the Occupation of Germany Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Expert Infantryman Badge.

Roland served as a director and former President of the Acushnet Employees Credit Union.  He was a former President of the New Bedford Serra Club.  An honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus, he served as Treasurer and Grand Knight of the former Bishop Stang Council, was a Fourth Degree Knight, and was a member and Past Commander of the Honor Guard of the Bishop Cassidy General Assembly. He was awarded the Marian Medal of the Diocese of Fall River by Cardinal Sean O'Malley for his dedicated service to his church.  He was a member and last Secretary of the former Sassaquin Lions Club and a current member of the Acushnet Lions Club.

He and the late Vic Morra were instrumental in building the mangers at the former St. Therese Church and St. Mary's Church.  They were also involved in the procuring and erecting the Mother Teresa statue at St. Mary's Church in South Dartmouth.  Each year he and his many friends would erect mangers for the Christmas season.

He is survived by his wife Jeannine, his children, Nina of Bellingham and Marc and his fianceé Sue Francis of New Bedford; a niece and two nephews; and many cousins.

His Funeral will be held on Friday September 27th at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church at 10 AM.  Burial with military honors will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.  Visiting hours will be on Thursday September 26th from 4-7 PM.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Acushnet Lions Club, c/o Robert Brown - Treasurer, 930 Middle Rd., Acushnet, MA 02743 or the Knights of Columbus, c/o Donald Dumont - Treasurer, 118 Perry St., New Bedford, MA 02745.  For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.