John M. Gomes, 90
Dateline: Norton, MA
John M. Gomes, 93, of Norton died on Saturday April 19, 2008 at the Epoch Senior Care Center in Norton. He was the beloved husband of the late Lillian G. (Baldwin) Gomes who passed away on October 10, 2007. Mr. and Mrs. Gomes were wed on December 26, 1942.
Born in Easton, MA on March 22, 1915 he was a son of the late Alfred and Maria (Baptista) Gomes
He grew up in Easton and was educated in Easton Public Schools. At age 14 he started his first job weighing dry goods at Mitchell’s General Store in Easton. In 1932 he went to work at the Ames Shovel Co. in North Easton, in 1934 he began employment at the Panther Rubber Co. in Stoughton. In 1936 he began his career as a meat cutter at Perdigao’s Market in Stoughton and in 1980 retired from EMPCO Foods Inc. in South Easton.
Mr. Gomes served his country during World War II in the United States Army. He served in the Amphibian Forces in the Pacific Theatre and was awarded 2 Bronze Stars for actions taken during assault landings. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant and upon returning home went to work at Elm Farm in Taunton.
A communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Norton, John was a former member of the Holy Name Society and also a former active volunteer at the annual church bazaar, serving as chairman in 1965. He was a member of the Norton VFW, the Lieutenant Harold A. Healy American Legion Post 222 in Norton and the AMVETS. He was also a longtime member of the Madeira Club.
Mr. Gomes was an avid New England sports fan and in 1928 had the pleasure of attending his first Red Sox game where he watched legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig play ball. He had made his home in Norton for the past 55 years.
He is survived by his devoted children; Katherine A. Rich and her husband David of Mashpee, Alfred D. Gomes and his wife Kristen of Norton, Norton Fire Chief Richard J. Gomes and his wife Theresa of Norton and the late John F. Gomes, his cherished grandchildren; David B. Rich, III and his wife Anna of Pinehurst, North Carolina, Betsy R. Koch and her husband Christopher of Hyannis, Melissa A. Gomes of Falmouth, Andrew R. Gomes of Norton, Christopher D. Gomes and his fiancé Elizabeth DeYesso of North Attleboro and Stacey M. Gomes of Norton, his great grandchildren; William and Henry Rich, Christopher Koch, Jr. and Mia and Ryan Gomes. He was the brother of Philomena Martin of Brockton, Constance Grant of Easton and the late Manuel, Frank, Alfred, Louis and Augustine Gomes and Mary DeThomas. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
His funeral, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Wednesday April 23rd at 10:00 A.M. from the Norton Memorial Funeral Home 19 Clapp St. (Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton followed by a Mass of Christian burial celebrated at 11:00 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church, South Worcester St., Norton. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Easton.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday April 22nd from 5-8 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home.
Those wishing, may make donations in John’s memory to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 20 Walnut St. Suite 318 Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 www.jdrf.org/baystate
For additional information please visit www.nortonmemorial.com