John M. Rego, 95, of New Bedford died Tuesday June 5, 2007 at St. Luke's Hospital. He was the husband the late Lily (Monks) Rego and the late Bertha (Allison) Normile Rego.
Born in Fall River, the son of the late Angelina (Joaquim) and Manuel DeMedeiros Rego, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
Mr. Rego was formerly employed as a minimum housing inspector for the New Bedford Health Department until his retirement. He had previously worked as a slasher tender at Berkshire-Hathaway.
He was a member and Past Master of the Paskamansett Lodge, A.F. & A.M. He was a founding member of the Roosevelt Social Club and played in Lenny's Varsity Boys Band. He had been the dance committee chairman of the Phoenix Revelers that brought Big Bands and dances to the State Ballroom and Duff's Hall. He enjoyed carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, auto mechanics, and gardening.
Survivors include five children, Herb Rego of New Bedford, Robert Rego and wife Rena of Quincy, Norma Bridge of Norton, Lily Hall of Acushnet, and Gail Pereira and husband Dr. Dennis Pereira of Stonington, CT; two stepchildren, Margaret Thomas and husband Weldon of Fort Worth, TX and Charles M. Normile, Jr. and wife Janie of Poughkeepsie, NY; 17 grandchildren, Rick Rego, Steve Rego, Donna Gagnon and husband Ron, Janice Mooney and husband Mike, Robert Costa, Lori Novick and husband David, Arnold Bridge and wife Tracey, Ronald Bridge and wife Tonya, Wendy Charves and husband Kevin, Susan John and and husband Chris, Steven Hall, Sean Rego, Colin Rego and wife Adelheid, Stephanie Smith, Erin Conlan and husband Sean, Matthew Pereira, and Adam Pereira; 16 great-grandchildren;his nephew and friend, William Bussiere; and nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late John Rego, father-in-law of the late Ronald Hall, and brother of the late David Rego, Gilda Stupalski, Aldena Bussiere, and Barbara Benoit.
His Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 10:30 AM at St. Martin's Episcopal Church. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the charity of one's choice. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.