Richard “Brooklyn” Carreiro, 81, of New Bedford, MA, passed away peacefully in the early morning Tuesday, September 30, 2014. He was the devoted husband of Leonora (Lopes), proud father of Paul and Thomas, and vavo to Abigail and Aidan Carreiro. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the youngest son of the late Georgianna (Botelho) and Joseph Carreiro. He is survived by his sister, Norma Sylvia of Westport, brother-in-law Robert Erickson of Westport; and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Maria MacPherson, Georgianna Erickson, and Donald, Joseph, and Noamia Carreiro.
A life long soccer aficionado, he took the pitch for Peaches Cafe and Ponta Delgada Soccer Clubs; and at 18, was the youngest player east of the Mississippi in big league soccer. A Korean War veteran, he was a graduate of the Army Ranger School, and served with the 82nd ABN and 43rd Infantry. While attending the Physical Training Supervisor School, he broke the army record for squat jumps (a record still standing and retired in his name). He also captained the army soccer squad in Europe, and played for the Augsburg, Germany team.
He earned a Bachelors of History, and Masters of Education from Bridgewater State College and captained the soccer team to various championships. His record of 70 goals and 35 assists has not been broken, and led to his induction into the BSC Athletic Hall-of-Fame. He taught US history at New Bedford High School for 37 years, and coached the soccer team he had helped re-establish as a student. In the community he was a proud congregant of St. John the Baptist church (the first Portuguese church in the US), where he actively participated as president of the Holy Name Society and Couple’s Clubs, as Eucharistic minister, and with the LaSalette Cursillo group. He was an avid painter, member of the Bierstadt Art Society, patron of the NBHS drama club, historian for the Descendents of Whaling Masters, chairman for many class reunions, and member of the Wamsutta Club. He served as Commander of VFW Post-3196, Commander of DAV Chapter-7, and Senior-vice Commander of American Legion Post-1.
He and Leonora shared 56 years of loving marriage, and his lifetime of discernment culminated in publishing a book of poems in 2013. He also enjoyed close professional relationships with Dr. Melver Felton, Father William Faherty, Herbert Philbrick, and his mentor Col. Frank Mumme. He was proud to be a founding member of the Korean War National Museum, and was our historian and educator. He will be missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial mass to be held Saturday, October 11th, at Mt. Carmel Church, 230 Bonney St., New Bedford, MA. A visitation line will be from 9:45-11:00 a.m., and mass 11:00-12:00 p.m.
His interment service with military honors will be at Cape Cod National Cemetery, Otis Air Force base, Bourne, MA., on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 11 AM.
In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity to which you can make a difference