Manuel A. Soares, 86, of New Bedford died Monday April 24, 2006 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Shirley (Peters) Soares.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Antone and Perpetua L.(Ramos) Soares, he lived in New Bedford all his life.
Mr. Soares was formerly employed as a construction worker for White's Construction.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, participating in the Battles of Southern Philippines and Luzon, and was a recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater ribbon, the Philippine Liberation ribbon and the Good Conduct medal.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Randall Soares and Steve Soares, both of New Bedford; Pastor Manuel Soares, Jr., and his wife Pastor Theressa Soares, of Arkansas; a daughter, Donna Rosa of New Bedford; two sisters, Rose Almeida of Boston; and Louise Pires of Dartmouth; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late James E. Soares and brother of the late Angelina Gomes.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 AM in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, followed by burial in Pine Grove Cemetery. His family will receive visitors at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford on Friday morning from 9-10:30 AM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.