Rev. Deacon Antonio M. daCruz, 80, of Marion died January 6, 2009 unexpectedly at St. Luke's Hospital. He was the husband of the late Joanna S. "Jenny" (Santos) daCruz.
Born in Warwick, RI, the son of the late Miguel J. and Francesca (Reis) daCruz, he lived in New Bedford and Dartmouth most of his life before moving to Marion three years ago.
Rev. Deacon daCruz was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church where he served as a permanent deacon.
He was formerly employed as a electronic engineer at the U.S. Naval Underwater Systems Center for many years until retirement.
Rev. Deacon daCruz was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He was a graduate of Northeastern University, class of 1956 and was a member of the Eta Kappa Nu Fraternity. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He was a loving father and grandfather.
Survivors include 2 sons, Antonio daCruz, Jr. and his fiancée Caroline of New Bedford and Miguel "Michael" daCruz and his wife Sherry of Dartmouth; 5 daughters, Linda Teixeira and her husband Anthony "Skip" of Marion, Joan Dancy and her husband David and Andrea Barrett, all of New Bedford, Anita Atalig of Tamuning, Guam and April Agbai of Baltimore; 20 grandchildren, including Leo Beltran, III and Victor Maisonave, III who were his caretakers for a few years; 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Koren daCruz and the brother of the late Joseph daCruz, Robert daCruz and Mary Walker.
Rev. Deacon Antonio daCruz will be received at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 47 South Sixth St. New Bedford Monday, January 12th at 3 PM with viewing from 3-8 PM and a wake service at 6:30 PM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 13th at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery.