Anthony P. "Tony" Ponte, Jr., 80, of New Bedford died July 19, 2004 at St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by his family.
He was the husband of Evelyn A. (Giza) Ponte.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Anthony P. and Mary (Correia) Ponte, he had lived in New Bedford for all of his life.
He was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church.
Mr. Ponte was formerly employed as a police officer with the New Bedford Police Department for 31 1/2 years until his retirement in 1986.
During World War II, Mr. Ponte served in the U.S. Army with the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion of the 7th Armored Division, participating in the battles and campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, Battle of the Bulge, Battle of St. Lo, the Rhineland and Central Europe. He was a recipient of the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign medal with 5 bronze stars, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Belgium medal and the Combat Infantryman's badge.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Jeffrey P. Ponte of Rochester, MA; a daughter, Lori, her husband Andres and their daughter, Katie May Otano, of Ft. Worth, Texas; 7 nieces and one nephew.
He was the brother of the late Ethel Reynolds and George P. Ponte.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Friday, July 24th at 10 AM.Funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 11 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Visiting hours Thursday, July 23rd from 4-8 PM.
Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery.