Antonio Rodrigues, 86, of New Bedford died Tuesday March 15, 2005 at home after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Pauline (Hofmann) Rodrigues.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Antonio and Maria (Sousa) Rodrigues, he was raised in Sao Miguel, Azores. He returned to New Bedford as a young adult and lived here for the rest of his life.
He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church.
Mr. Rodrigues was formerly employed by Morse Cutting Tools for many years until his retirement.
Mr. Rodrigues served in the U.S. Army during World War II, participating in the Battles of Guadalcanal and the East Indies. He was a recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign ribbon with 2 bronze stars.
Survivors include two daughters, Maria Linda Straver of the Netherlands and Hazel A. Rodrigues of New Bedford; three brothers, Victorino Rodrigues of Canada, Carlos Rodrigues of Fairhaven and Dimas Rodrigues of Plainville, CT; three sisters, Miquelina Fernandes of Fairhaven, Maria Duque of Canada and Jorgina daCamara of Marietta, GA; two grandchildren, John Paul Straver and Stefanie Boon, both of the Netherlands; and a great-granddaughter, Tanya Boon of the Netherlands;
He was the brother of the late Adelino Rodrigues.
A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date. Burial in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven will be private. Visiting hours are omitted.