Roland E. Thebado

Waltham – Mr. Roland E. "Ron" Thebado, of Waltham, died Monday, December 4, 2017 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital following a period of declining health. He was 80.

Ron was born in Boston on July 2, 1937, a son of the late Charles and Mary (Bernard) Thebado, and was raised in Roxbury. After high school he served with the United States Army.

Ron's best day came when he married Patricia K. Smith in Saint Leo's Church in Dorchester and the couple soon moved to Waltham where they became lifelong residents. They celebrated fifty years of marriage this past June 24th.

Until his retirement he worked as a custodian at MacArthur Elementary School in Waltham where he was known with great affection as "Mr. T". The same moniker followed him in retirement where he spent the past ten years as a school crossing guard at the corner of School and Bacon Streets.

Before working for the school department Ron had worked at Howard Clock Company when he first arrived in Waltham and later at the Marriott in Newton, and at Jet-Spray and at the Chateau Restaurant, both in Waltham.

The job he loved most however was being the proud 'Papa' to his granddaughters. Ron was living proof that "a grandfather is someone with silver in his hair . . . and gold in his heart."

For thirty years he coached the Cardinals in Waltham's Nipper Maher Baseball League and coached hockey for Belmont Sports Special Olympics. Ron also enjoyed hunting with his buddies every year at Sebago Lake in Maine and in the warmer months loved fishing at the reservoir in Waltham. Another favorite destination was Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut.

In addition to his wife, Pat, he leaves his children, Tracey A. Salvo and her husband, Christopher, and Roland E. Thebado, Jr., all of Waltham; his granddaughters, Brittany, Jessica and Olivia Salvo; his brother and sister, Ernest Thebado of Marlboro and Jean Panto of Quincy; many nieces and nephews and his favorite canine companion, Duke.

Ron was also a brother of the late Charles, Jr. and Donald Thebado.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ron's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, December 7th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private.