In New Bedford, James B. Alvilhiera Sr., Age 86, passed away peacefully following a lengthy illness on February 18, 2019 in the Sacred Heart Home. James was the beloved husband of the late Anita L. (Morin) Alvilhiera. He was born in Taunton, the son of the late Joao & Annie (Viera) Alvilhiera. James served his country while in the U.S. Army National Guard. He was a former City of Taunton employee, working for the cemetery department and also a former employee of E.T. Wright Shoe Company in Rockland. He was a member of the Taunton Rifle & Pistol Club and a communicant of St. Jude the Apostle Church. James was an avid reader and also a sports fan of the Patriots, Bruins and Red Sox. He enjoyed tending his large garden and generously shared with his family and friends, he also enjoyed dining out, hunting, fishing and in his younger days skydiving. The things he would like to be remembered for most was being a hard worker, working several jobs to build his home for his family with his own hands. He is survived by his loving children, Pamela Smith and her late husband William M. of Hampstead, NH, Noreen Skwarto and her late husband Stephen and her companion Patrick Barbrick of Taunton, Cindy Drake and her husband Fred of Taunton and his son retired Lt. Colonel James Alvilhiera Jr. and his companion Michelle Massingill of Duluth, GA.; his grandchildren, Kristen Lefebvre, Ryan Perry, William Smith Jr., Brandon Skwarto, Aubrey Alvilhiera, Joshua Alvilhiera, Nicole Drake and his great grandchild Zachary LeFebvre. He also was the brother of Theresa Amaral of Taunton, Anne McGann of Middleboro and the late Francis Alvilhiera, John Alvilhiera, Frank Alvilhiera, Master Sgt. Anthony Alvilhiera and Grace Goodwin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 22nd 11AM. at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Taunton. Burial is private at the request of the family. The family would like to thank Hope Hospice for their compassionate care of their father. Donations in Jame’s memory may be made to the Sacred Heart Home, 359 Summer St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or Hope Hospice, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.