Roland W. Martin
DRACUT – Roland W. Martin, age 76, a resident of Dracut and formerly of Hudson, NH and Lowell, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 30, 2026, at The Arbors at Dracut, with his family by his side. He was the husband of the late Joan I. (Monbleau) Martin, who passed in 2008.
Roland was born in Lowell on January 13, 1950 and was a son of the late Omer L. and Laurette G. (Bergeron) Martin. He was raised in the Centralville section of Lowell, attended Saint Louis Elementary School and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1968. Roland then attended the New England Institute of Anatomy in Boston, where he received his certification in Funeral Directing and Embalming.
He began his career in Funeral Service with the Ouellette Funeral Home and in 1976, he and Joan purchased the Bilodeau Funeral Home on Pawtucket Street in Lowell, renaming it Bilodeau-Martin Funeral Home. In the late 1980’s with two sons about to join the family business, the funeral home name was changed to Roland W. Martin Funeral Home. In 2016 along with his son, he built the Tyngsborough Funeral Home, which continues to serve the community with compassion, dignity and respect, as Roland did for over 50 years.
Roland was very active in the community having served in several capacities for many organizations, committees and boards over the years including the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, the former Club Lafayette, the Centralville Social Club, D’Youville Manor Men’s Guild, the former Spindle City Corvette Club, the former Merrimack River Valley House and the D’Youville Manor Board of Trustees.
He was a longtime parishioner of the former Ste. Jeanne d’Arc Church and the Parish of Saint Rita and a 52 year member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society between both parishes. For many years, Roland was the chairperson of the senior’s Christmas parties at the former Club Lafayette and Parish of Saint Rita.
Roland was very proud of his French heritage and was a longtime member of the Franco-American Day Committee, where he served as president and treasurer for many years. In 1988 he was named Franco American of the year.
In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling, spending time at his home in Ogunquit, playing cards, dancing, attending car shows with his Corvette, visiting with friends and going out to dinner; but his favorite pastime was spending time with his five grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl A. Martin and her husband Richard J. Ireland, two sons and two daughters-in-law, Stephen R. and Kimberly A. (Farland) Martin and Daniel R. and Alayna A. (Wharton) Martin, five grandchildren, Jacob, Aidan, Aldan, Adarra and Ava Sophia; his dear friend and companion, Cheryl A. DaSilva; his mother-in-law, Laurette B. (Chandonnet) (Monbleau) Kauker; three sisters-in-law, Elaine I. Hudon, Janet E. Roth, Adele V. Martin; many nieces, nephews, dear friends and funeral service colleagues. He was predeceased by his siblings, Raymond Martin, Jeannine Pellerin and Roger Martin and two brothers-in-law, Paul Hudon and Michael Roth.
The family wishes to extend a sincere appreciation to the staff at The Arbors, Mary and the staff from All Care Hospice, Adisa and the staff from A Place at Home and Anne and Leah from Delighted Caregivers for the exceptional care rendered to Roland.
Relatives and friends will be received on Friday, Feb. 6, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Tyngsborough Funeral Home, 4 Cassaway Dr., Tyngsborough. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 11 o’clock in the Parish of Saint Rita Church 158 Mammoth Road, Lowell. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his memory to a charity of your choice. For online condolences, please visit www.tyngsboroughfuneralhome.com