Pedro J. "Pepe" Graça, 69, of Dartmouth died Friday May 3, 2002 at New England Medical Center in Boston after a brief illness. He was the husband of Maria "Zinha" (Gomes) Graça,and son of the late Joaquim J. and Maria (Pina) Graça.
Born in Risco Vermelio, Brava, Cape Verde, he moved to New Bedford in 1948 and had resided in Dartmouth since 1967.
He was a communicant of St. Julie Billiart Church.
Mr. Graça was formerly employed as a merchant seaman for the Exxon Corporation until his retirement. After his retirement, he had been employed at Morse Cutting Tools, Carol Cable, and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
He was a member of the Bisca Tournament Club, the Exxon Annuitant Club, and the Coroa De Espirito Santo of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Pedro J. "Pete" Graça, Jr. of Dartmouth; 2 sisters, Herminia Gomes and Marianna Santos, both of New Bedford; 2 grandchildren, Drayton Graça and Mikayla Graça, both of East Freetown; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was the father of the late Manuel Graça and Darlene Graça.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordTuesday, May 7th at 8:30 AM.Funeral Mass at St. Julie Billiart Church, North Dartmouth at 10 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours Sunday evening 7-9 PM and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Escola Materna Nossa Senhora DaGraca, Inc., P.O. Box 40134, New Bedford, MA 02744.