New Bedford - John Gonsalves, age 94 years, born August 6, 1923 in New Bedford, MA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a few years of declining health. Husband of the late Rose Marie Gonsalves for 51 years and son of the late Antonio Gonsalves and Maria Abreu Gonsalves .
Retired in 1985 from Liberty Super Market after 36 years as the Meat Dept Manager. John was a communicant of the former St. John the Baptist Church, New Bedford, MA and presently with St. Julies Church in Dartmouth, Ma.
Leaves one daughter Rosemary Gallagher and husband Michael of New Bedford, and three sons John Gonsalves and wife Alicia of Waldoboro, ME, William Gonsalves and wife Fernanda of Dartmouth and David Gonsalves and wife Cathy of Dartmouth.
10 grandchildren Michelle Tavano, Scott Gonsalves, Brienne Snyder, Zachary Gonsalves, Adam Gonsalves, Andrew Gonsalves, Shawn Gallagher, Brooke Gallagher-Holtan, Jacob Gonsalves and Abbey Murray. 8 great grandchildren Nicolas and Samantha Tavano, Rachel, Kelsey, Theodore , Victor, Virginia and Mirabella Gonsalves , also has one remaining brother Antonio Gonsalves of No. Attleboro and one sister Linda Greene of Virginia.
Served in WWll as an Army Seargant Veteran in the Pacific Campaign stationed in Guadalcanal. He was a dedicated father, husband and family man and avid baseball fan faithfully followed the Red Sox. He managed the St. John’s bowling league for 25 years and also bowled with the Carmelite bowling league for several years. The Family would like to send a special thanks St. Luke's Hospice Staff in the Crapo Ward.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Grace Episcopal Church 133 School St. New Bedford MA 02740, The Veterans Transition House of Southeastern MA 181 Hillman St. New Bedford, MA 02740 or www.vetshouse.org. or Lighthouse Animal Shelter, Inc. 596 Hathaway Road, New Bedford, MA 02740.
His funeral services are Friday, August 25th and will begin in the funeral home at 8:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel at 9:00 A.M. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Arrangements are placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, MA 02740. Please see our website: www.perryfuneral.com for condolences.