Arthur William Cordeira, 54, of New Bedford died Monday February 1, 2016 at St. Luke's Hospital. He was the husband of Suzanne D. (Rioux) Cordeira; they were to celebrate their 24th anniversary in March.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Donald B. and Louise L. (Best) Cordeira, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life. He was a graduate of New Bedford High School, Class of 1979.
Arthur was employed at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford until his spinal cord injury in 2008. He enjoyed patient care, especially in his role as patient care assistant in the Ambulatory Surgery Center. He always put patients at ease with his compassion and sense of humor. Arthur also worked as a chef at Beck's Seafood in Dartmouth. He was always asked to make baked stuffed shrimp, clams casino, and grapenut custard for family gatherings.
Arthur appreciated spending time with his family, and especially enjoyed the years spent camping at Bayview Campground in Bourne. He loved to travel and in recent years, despite his injury, hiked in Arcadia National Park in Maine, took a cruise to the Bahamas, and fulfilled his dream of riding in a hot air balloon in Lancaster, PA. He also enjoyed many years of riding his Harley Davidson Fat Boy. Other favorite pastimes included going to movies, musicals/plays at local theaters, concerts, and dining out. But above all, hanging out with his precious yellow Labrador Retriever Maisy brought him the most joy.
He is survived by his wife Suzanne; his siblings, Donna Lou Phelan and her spouse Jeremiah, Donn A. Cordeira, and David B. Cordeira; his parents-in-law, Blanche and Chester Adams; his sisters-in-law, Michelle Desrochers and Jeanne Gagne and her spouse David; his nieces, Kelley Cordeira, Kristen Nelson, Courtney Root, Caitlin Faughn, Sara Vieira, and Kathryn Dupere; his great-nephews, Joshua Nelson, Seamus Root, and Declan Root; and great-niece, Letty Nelson.
He was predeceased by his father-in-law, Armand W. Rioux and brother-in-law, Marc Desrochers.
His Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 9:30 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network (Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program), Development Office, 1575 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02138, the Humane Society and Shelter-Southcoast, 31 Ventura Drive, Dartmouth, MA 02747, or a charity of one's choice. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.