John A. Faria, 75, of New Bedford died Friday November 1, 2002 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Helena (Monte) Faria; they had been married for 53 years.
Born in Barnstable, the son of the late Emerlinda Faria, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
He was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church.
Mr. Faria was formerly employed as the senior head custodian at the Alfred J. Gomes Elementary School for 20 years until his retirement in 1993. He had also previously been employed by Servomation and Brittany Dye and Print.
During World War II, he served in the U. S. Navy in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, and was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, the American Area Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5988 in Bourne.An avid camper for 40 years, he was a member of the Cranberry Coachmen Chapter 35. With his family by his side, he was one of the original campers at both Bayview and Maple Park campgrounds. He was also a seasonal resident at the Bourne Scenic campground for many years.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Robert A. Faria and his wife Elizabeth of New Bedford; 2 daughters, Linda Martins and her husband Jorge, of New Bedford, and Brenda St. Laurent of New Bedford; a sister, Mary Moore of North Carolina; 5 grandchildren, Wendy Kozens, Lisa Bates, Scott DeTerra, Bernadette Barreira, and Adam Faria, and all their significant others; 3 great-grandsons, Kyle Hamel, Tyler Marinelli, and Hunter Bates; and all his children whose lives he touched at the Gomes School.He was the brother of the late Henry Faria and brother-in-law of the late Kathleen Faria.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordTuesday November 5, 2002 at 9 AM.Funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 10 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Monday November 4, 2002 from 5-9 PM. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in Rural Cemetery.