On the evening of Aug. 22, 2020, Roland Rodrigues, 78, of Bristol, R..I passed away in his home peacefully with his family. His fight was long and tough and he left his family and friends in remembrance of “thunder” ironically and magnificently passing to God during the exact time of a short, electrifying storm of thunder and lightning … And then the sunshine with a rainbow. That was the iconic Roland Rodrigues way.

Roland was born and raised in Bristol, living a short time of his youth in Azores, Portugal. He was the son of Rosa (Mello) and Laureno Rodrigues Sr. and the brother of the late Laureno Jr., Edward and Abel Rodrigues.
Roland is survived by his wife, who he was devoted to for 57 years, Sandra (Biancuzzo) Rodrigues; three loving children, Alison Arruda, Kyle Rodrigues and Sharon Rodrigues; five adoring grandchildren, Katelyn Arruda, Benjamin Arruda, Trevor King, Keiana Rodrigues, and Karissa Rodrigues; a great-grandson, Dylan Aguiar; a son-in-law, Gregory Arruda, and daughter-in-law, Nelia Rodrigues; in-laws, many family pets which he considered immediate family; adored cousins, nieces and nephews( greats), many in San Diego, Calif., and his God children along with an abundance of friends he truly treasured.

Roland attended Bristol’s Colt Memorial High School, graduating in 1960. He was a legendary football player receiving All State, All-Star and honorable mention All-American, displaying his remarkable football skills as a running back and halfback.

The Lightening quick Rollie, also nick named “Duck for his unique footing while running, led the Class C Division in 1959, leading the Colts to the Division Championship with a 7-0-1 record, and his rushing and touchdown scoring was phenomenal.

Never forget that 1959 Thanksgiving Day football game against the arch-rival Barrington Eagles, when Rodrigues became the game hero, leading the Colts to an amazing 7-6 triumph and his 78-yard touchdown run up the sideline for the winning score. This game is legendary and still talked about to this day.

Roland went on to further his education and athleticism, first at Brewster Academy Preparatory School in Wolfeboro, N.H., and then to the University of Rhode Island, where he starred in Track and Football and socially engaged with his fraternity brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TEKE) and his football and track teammates.

After his college graduation in 1965, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health Science, Roland began his 28 career years as a PE and Health Science teacher, first in Pittsfield, Mass., for a very short time, before he was quickly offered a position at Tiverton High School and then at Bristol High School, where he remained.

He dedicated his life to helping students become strong, inspired, and self-worthy. Although he was retired from teaching, he served for a total of 40 years as a football, wrestling and baseball coach at Tiverton, Bristol and Mt. Hope high schools.

Coaching was Roland’s great passion. His coaching philosophy mirrored his own style; hard work, conditioning, determination and enthusiasm. During this timeframe, his teams won four football championships and two wrestling championships, and he has been prestigiously inducted into the Bristol Athletic Hall of Fame, the Tiverton High School Baseball Hall of Fame, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame, the Rhode Island Football Coaches Hall of Fame and the Providence Grid Iron Club Hall of Fame. Roland was highly recognized as one of Rhode Island’s best sports figures in the “Sports Illustrated” edition of January, year 2000.

Roland continued to work after retirement and support kids and the community in Bristol and Warren until his last days of life. He was employed at the Roger Williams University Athletic Department, the Town of Bristol’s Harbor Control, coordination of Mt. Hope High’s Wellness Center and assisted football coaches as needed for Pop Warner and Mt. Hope High School.

Although he had a winter home with his wife in Naples, Fla., he spent much of his time attending and supporting educational and sporting events for all of his grandchildren and great-grandchild. He was also dedicated to his faith and devotedly attended Holy Trinity Church in Tiverton, R.I. Roland was an active member of the Elks Club Association and the Cup Defenders Association.

Rollie had his own hobbies, too. He loved boating, clamming and quahogging, golfing, playing cards with his friends, volunteering with youth sports and mostly spending quality time with his family. If you knew Roland, he always loved a party and was constantly the life of it!

Roland Rodrigues should be remembered not only for his achievements but for the incredible role model he was to his family, friends and anyone who knew him. He had so many gifts and talents, but his personality was by far his best gift of all. He loved all people, as his smile and ability to laugh with you and at himself made him someone everyone wanted to be close to. He was known for his competitiveness, true loyalty, funny sense of humor, respect, generosity, determination, strength, toughness, and genuinely having a kind, loving heart. He will be missed by all who knew him and always treasured by his family. He will want us all to remember him in great times and cherish all the stories he has shaped throughout the years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a “Celebration of Life” on Sept. 4, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and in the evening from 4 to 6 p.m., with prayers and words of adoration at 5 p.m. Face masks are required, and social distancing will be enforced due to COVID regulations. Live streaming will be available.

SMITH FUNERAL and MEMORIAL SERVICES, 8 Schoolhouse Road, Warren, RI. www.wjsmithfh.com

A Mass of Holy Eucharist will be held for immediate family and close friends (80 attendees’ maximum in Church due to COVID) on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020,  at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 1956 Main Road, Tiverton. Face masks are required and social distancing enforced. Our family apologizes for a small Mass, but COVID procedures will not allow for large attendance. Live streaming will be available. Let it be known that there will be a magnificent celebration to remember Roland’s life when the climate of our world begins to open!

Flower arrangements/plants in Roland’s memory can be sent to Smith Funeral and Memorial Services prior the celebration. Donations in check form can be sent to Rhode Island Interscholastic Injury Fund; c/o Kathleen Kelly, 262 Abbot Run Valley Road, Cumberland, RI 02866. Roland’s wishes are to value and honor children and their families in Rhode Island who play sports and greatly need financial assistance with sports injuries.