Louis Paiva, age 83 years, passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Madeline (Camaioni) Paiva to whom he was married for 57 years.
He was a lifelong resident of the city and son of the late Antonio and Liduina (Roderigues) Paiva.
Louis was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and retired New Bedford firefighter serving the city for 33 years. During this time he received a commendation for saving the life of a fellow firefighter via C.P.R.
He was active in the Firefighters Union – Local 214 and upon retirement was made an Honorary Member. He was a member of the New Bedford – Cape Cod Labor Council since 1964 and on the Board of Trustees until his retirement after which he was voted as a Senior Representative for the Council.
Louis was well known as a drummer with his band the Nu-Sounds and played locally in the New Bedford area as well as Fall River at the Liberal Club, in Rhode Island and as far away as New Hampshire. He served on the Executive Board as a member of the Fall River Federation of Musicians Local 216. He also played with the Dartmouth and Swansea Community Bands, the Portuguese American Marching Band and the Pawtucket R.I. and Bristol R.I. Marching Bands.
In addition to his wife, Louis is survived by his son, Kenneth, daughter-in-law Kimberly and granddaughter Kailey of Mansfield; his sisters Eva Furtado and her husband Charles of Somerset, and Gloria Costa of New Bedford; his sisters-in-law, Clotilde Paiva and Lillian Paiva; and a niece and several nephews.
He was the brother of the late Henry, Alfonse, and Antone Paiva.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Private entombment will be in Newport Memorial Park. Visiting hours will on Friday from 4-7 PM at the Saunders - Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, please offer donations to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.