John P. Sarkes, 89, of New Bedford died Sunday, September 11, 2011 at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home after a long illness.
He was the husband of Rita (Matesich) Sarkes to whom he was married for 61 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Thomas and Josephine (Thomas) Sarkes, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
Mr. Sarkes was formerly employed at Chamberlain Manufacturing and Calvin Clothing Corporation, where he was plant superintendent.
During World War II, he served in the construction battalion of the U.S. Navy. Mr. Sarkes survived Operation Tiger and the D-Day Invasion of Normandy.
Survivors include his wife; his daughter, Susan Sarkes of Watertown; his son, Peter Sarkes and his wife Cynthia, of Acushnet; his sister, Barbara Gallagher of Raynham; 4 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
He was the brother of the late Abraham, Louis and George Sarkes, and Mary Faidell.
The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Purgatory Church. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 5-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Disabled Veterans Association of America, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.