Joseph J. Pereira, Jr., 87, of New Bedford died Monday March 2, 2015. He was the husband of the late Jacqueline C. (Cyr) Pereira.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Joseph J. and Maria Gloria (Costa Mello) Pereira, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
He was a communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church.
Mr. Pereira was formerly employed as a driver/salesman for My Bread Baking Company for 35 years, and later worked part-time as a salesman for Union Tobacco Company.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army. He was a graduate of New Bedford High School, where he played baseball and basketball and was a member of the 1945-1946 State Championship basketball team. He later attended New Bedford Textile Institute, where he played basketball. He also played baseball and basketball for Mount Carmel Parish in the CYO League. A lifelong New York sports fan, he enjoyed following the Yankees, Knicks, Giants, and Rangers.
Survivors include three children, David J. Pereira of Dartmouth, Anne E. Deshaies and her husband Raymond of Acushnet and Jane C. Racine and her husband Gerald, of Dartmouth; a sister, Olinda Reis of Dartmouth; a half-brother, Emmanuel Pereira of Taunton; seven grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
He was the father of the late Susan M. Pereira, Louise M. Pereira and Thomas R. Pereira.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Friday at 8 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Church at 9 AM. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Thursday 4-8 PM. Donations in his memory may be made to Community Nurse and Hospice Care, P.O. Box 751, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.