Born: July 18, 1895
Died: February 20, 1960
Married: Eglantine LaLande
Children: Rene Gendron, Mrs. John VerHeydt
Donat Gendron, builder, founded Gendron Lumber Company
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, February 22, 1960
Donat Gendron Dies, A Successful Builder
Donat Gendron, one of Saranac Lake's most successful and respected builders passed away at his home, 15 Dorsey Street, Saturday evening after a long illness. He was 64 years old.
Born July 18, 1895 in St. Louis.Quebec, he was the son of Deasithee and Mary Cardinal Gendron. He came to Saranac Lake 35 years ago and for many years was employed by J.J. O'Connell and Sons, until he went into business for himself in 1942
Mr. Gendron built many private residences, including several on the Trudeau Road several motels in or near Lake Placid, and he renovated Meyer Drug Store on Main Street, Saranac Lake, after its fire last winter, the Gendron Block, in which is located the Alden Store and Dew Drop Inn; and the Mar-Mac Bowling Center on Bloomingdale Avenue. He also improved the shores of the Saranac River by taking down a couple of old buildings near his own establishment.
Donat Gendron once told an Enterprise reporter that he believed that if a builder is to be successful he must personally stay close with each job, seeing that good and careful work is done.
Surviving besides his wife, the former Eglantine LaLonde and one son, Rene, of Saranac Lake and one daughter, Mrs.S[ ] Paye of Syracuse [the remainder is illegible]
