Roberto M. "Poppy" Duarte, 92, of New Bedford died Monday October 31, 2005 at home. He was the husband of the late Guilhermina M. "Gigi" (Rozario) Duarte; they had shared 69 years of marriage.
Born in Freetown, the son of the late Manuel A. and Maria (Duarte) Duarte, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
He was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
Mr. Duarte was formerly employed as a construction worker for Sullivan & Foster Construction, Loranger Construction and Olsen & Appleby Construction until his retirement.
He was a former member of the King Solomon Lodge #11 under the jurisdiction of the M.W. Alpha Grand Lodge of Masssachusetts.
Survivors include seven daughters, Dorothy Andrade, Roberta Lovegrove, Patricia Barboza, Evelyn Metivier, Marie Gracia, Kathleen Almeida and Irene Duarte, all of New Bedford; two sons-in-law, George Gracia and Allan Duarte, both of New Bedford; a brother-in-law, Louis Rozario of New Bedford; a sister-in-law, Josephine Quiles of New Bedford; 23 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and 18 great- great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Laura Gonsalves, and brother of the late Antone Duarte, Joseph Duarte, Anna Duarte Soares, Julia Duarte, and Frank Duarte.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Friday November 4, 2005 at 10 AM. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Thursday November 3, 2005 from 4-8 PM. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.