Mancy J. Gendron

Rev. Mancy J. "Fr. Mike" Gendron, 83, of Manchester died February 27, 2003 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Manchester after a brief illness.

Born in Manchester on February 20, 1920, he was the son of Francois and Valeda (Rouleau) Gendron.

He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School in Manchester and St. Charles Borromee Prep School in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Army. He later earned a bachelor's degree in three years by attending St. Anselm College in Manchester and Catholic University in Washington, DC.

In 1948 he entered the theological seminary at Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1952. Near that time he co-founded the Pius X Secular Institute in Charlesbourg, Quebec. He served that Institute as Assistant Director General for 13 years, then became Director General in 1965. During his time as Director General the Institute was founded in Columbia, South America.

Rev. Gendron served as assistant pastor in the Province of Quebec at St. Philippe de Clermont, St. Anastasie de Lyster and Notre Dame de Grace. He was a co-founder of the religious magazine "Les Editions du Renouveau" and was involved with other religious periodicals such as "Militants de Presse" and "Je Crois".

In 1957 he was assigned to oversee all members of the Pius X Institute in New England. He later was assigned to oversee the Pius X Seminary in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Fr. Gendron's ministry also took him to the region of Charlevoix, Quebec where he served as Secretary Animator and as spiritual director of the group "Messageres de Paix".

The family includes a brother, retired Bishop of Manchester, Most Rev. Odore J. Gendron, DD and a sister, Rolande Gendron both of Manchester.

A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated in Charlesbourg, Quebec. Burial was at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations may be made to Pius X Secular Institute, 553 Mast Rd., #189, Goffstown 03045-5230

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., Manchester assisted the family with arrangements.