Leonard C. Bettencourt, 96, of Dartmouth died Sunday September 24, 2017 after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Claire E. (Gilmore) Bettencourt.
Born in Dartmouth, the son of the late Joaquim C. "Jack" and Isabella (Correia) Bettencourt, he lived in Dartmouth for most of his life. In the 1950s, he constructed his family home where he still resided at this time. He was very proud of this accomplishment since he had to use all hand tools because there was no power in the area at that time.
At the age of 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and later served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. While in the service, he was sent to various bases to play baseball for the the Air Corps. Throughout the years, he continued to play baseball, softball, and semi-professional football. He was also an avid bowler. After leaving the service, he received his pilot's license and flew seaplanes out of Clark's Cove in Dartmouth.
Mr. Bettencourt was formerly employed at Corson Cadillac in New Bedford for 18 years then worked for Quaker Oats Company as a welder, pipe fitter, and troubleshooter. He later worked for Polaroid Corporation in waste water treatment and silver recovery. While working at Polaroid, he picked up a teaching assistant position at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School in the welding department. He retired from Polaroid at the age of 80, and continued to work at Voc-Tech until he was 92.
He is survived by his daughter, Heidi Jane Bettencourt; his sister, Emily "Ellen" Martin; five grandchildren, Amy Leigh Lescault, Michael Bettencourt II, Stacy Bettencourt, Ian J. Rymszewicz, and Logan D. Rymszewicz; and three great-grandchildren, Robert Lescault, Raleigh Chmielorz, and Logan D. Rymszewicz.
He was predeceased by his son Michael Leonard Bettencourt, and his siblings, Irene Hickock, Elaine Almeida, and Ralph Bettencourt.
His Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday September 27, 2017 at 11 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday from 4-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.