Rev.Dr. Manuel Chavier, Sr., of Fairhaven died August 12, 2006 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness.
He was the husband of Elizabeth G. (McKenney) Chavier.
Born in Lincoln, RI, the son of the late John and Mary (Monteiro) Chavier, he was raised in Lincoln and lived in New Bedford and Fairhaven most of his life.
Rev. Chavier was the founder of the International Church of the Nazarene Church in 1948 and was actively serving as the senior pastor of his church.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a master sergeant, participating in the battles and campaigns of the Rhineland and Central Europe, and was the recipient of the Bronze Star medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater campaign medal, the American Theater medal, the Good Conduct medal and the World War II Victory medal.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Rev. Manuel "J.R." Chavier, Jr., and his wife Almeda, of New Bedford; a daughter, Ruth Gomes, and her husband Rev. Edmund Gomes, of Lynchburg, VA; 5 brothers and sisters, Jennie Chavier of Pawtucket, RI, Anthony Chavier, and his wife Patricia, of Cumberland, RI, John Chavier, and his wife Donna, of Fairhaven, Albert Gonsalves of Florida and Carlota T. Gonsalves of West Palm Beach, FL; and 4 grandchildren, Joshua Gomes, Priscilla Gomes, Jessica Chavier and Monica Chavier.
His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 9 AM in the International Church of the Nazarene, 284 Pleasant St., New Bedford. Burial will be held on Thursday at 2:45 PM in the Massachusetts National Cemetery,Bourne. Visiting hours will be held 2- 8 PM Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at the Church. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, remembrances may be made to the International Church of the Nazarene Community Center Fund, 284 Pleasant St., New Bedford.
DIRECTIONS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
284 PLEASANT ST.
NEW BEDFORD, MA 02740
Rt.195 to exit 13A which puts you onto Rt. 140 South. Continue straight to the second traffic light which is Hawthorn St. Turn left on Hawthorn St. and continue to the end of Hawthorn St. which intersects County St. Turn right on County St. and then your 1st left onto Russell St. The church parking lot is located on Russell St. between South Sixth St. and Pleasant St. The church is located at 284 Pleasant St. Additional parking is located at the former Morse Twist Drill lot between Wing St. and Bedford St.