James F. DeTerra, 81, of Fairhaven, died Wednesday February 20, 2002 at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Vivian (Macomber) DeTerra, and son of the late Victor and Agnes (Sullivan) DeTerra.
Mr. DeTerra was born in New Bedford and had lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
Mr. DeTerra was formerly employed as a police officer with the New Bedford Police Department until his retirement.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and participated in the Campaigns of Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, and Egypt-Libya. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Fort Phoenix Post 2892 in Fairhaven.
Survivors include his companion, Laura Sylvia of Fairhaven; 2 sons, Tom DeTerra and James DeTerra, both of New Bedford; 2 daughters, Donna Marujo of Mattapoisett and Gloria Rucker of Rochester; a brother, John DeTerra of Las Vegas, Nev.; 2 sisters, Kathleen Maurer and Mary Ellen Hennessey, both of California; 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Stephen DeTerra, Victor DeTerra and Ronald DeTerra.
His Funeral Service will be held on Monday February 25, 2002 at 12 Noon in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours will be on Sunday afternoon from 2-4 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Lung Association of Massachusetts, One Abbey Lane, Middleboro, MA 02346.