Francis Randal Bordelon of Phoenixville, PA passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on October 24, 2026.

“Randy,” as he was lovingly known, was born on June 9, 1945 in Alexandria, Louisiana. The eldest child of Marie Herring Bordelon and Hannon Joseph Bordelon, he attended Mary Hill High School Seminary in Pineville, LA. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was trained in radio maintenance and served in the Vietnam War. He attended Louisiana State University after completing his military service, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History and remained an avid reader of history throughout his life. After working for the state of Louisiana, he studied to be a software engineer and moved to Virginia in the mid 1970s where he worked as a defense contractor for the next 30 years.

On November 17, 1984, Randy married Gretchen C. Grieb. They had met volunteering at an event at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC. There was one child born of their union whom they named Martin David. To his family, Randy was a devoted husband, father, (and in more recent years) “Grandpa.” Though busy with his career, he was the primary cook for his family, drawing on his Louisianan heritage to make favorites like Gumbo and Red Beans & Rice. He was a constant companion to his son, wrestling and playing catch with Martin while he was younger and serving as a scoutmaster with his Boy Scouts Troop when he was a teenager. Patriotism and serving one’s country were also values he held dear and passed on to Martin who followed his father in joining the U.S. Marine Corps. Randy was a doting husband who cherished his wife with all his heart. During their years raising Martin, he still took Gretchen on “date nights” and took care of any chore she asked, especially grocery shopping and taking out the trash as soon as it was full. They shared a love of history and enjoyed trips together to historical sites. Randy also had a sense of humor which was especially appreciated by his wife. In recent years they began to take longer walks together almost daily and attend weekday Mass.  Randy had a deep appreciation for his Louisianan/French heritage. He enjoyed studying and reading about his family tree, his hometown, and state’s history. One way Randy loved people was through feeding them, whether cooking himself or covering the bill at a restaurant. After retiring from his career in software development, Randy worked other smaller jobs in real estate and cemetery sales. He and his wife were committed to supporting their daughter-in-law and grandchildren whenever Martin needed to be away on military engagements. For many years they traveled from Northern Virgina to the Philadelphia area where their son’s family lived. In 2025, they decided to relocate to Phoenixville, PA in order to live closer to them.

Randy will be remembered for faithfully serving his Church through volunteering with the Institute of Catholic Culture, mentoring couples preparing for marriage, ushering, helping count the Sunday collection, and, most memorably, for his years in the Knights of Columbus. As a Fourth Degree, he held numerous officer roles at both the council and assembly level, to include Grand Knight of the Santa Maria Council in Vienna, VA. He was the head usher at his parish, St. John the Beloved in McClean, VA where he is warmly remembered for his guidance to fellow ushers. He had a distinct what being it means to be an usher. He regularly attended his Opus Dei men’s circle and monthly recollections. Randy devoted his time to several other civic organizations: The Marine Corps League, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fairfax County Republicans in Virginia, and Christians in Commerce.

Randy is survived by his wife of 42 years, Gretchen C. Bordelon, their son Martin (Lindsey) Bordelon. He is also survived by his three siblings, Mary Ellen (Charles) Randall, Mark (Jaqueline) Bordelon, Celeste (Matthew) Bordelon, five grandchildren (Paul, Estelle, Jeanne, Antoine, and Jean-Baptiste) as well as his nieces, nephews, great nieces/nephews, and numerous cousins.

If you’d like to let the family know that you can come to the funeral or simple to connect with the family, please email martin634@verizon.net.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 502 Ford Street, Bridgeport, PA 19405 on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 11:00 am.

Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery.

A viewing will be held in church on Tuesday from 9:45 to 10:45 am.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Institute of Catholic Culture at https://instituteofcatholicculture.org/donate-online or to the Marine Corps League Scholarship at https://www.mclfoundation.org/donations.