John Correia DeMello, Jr., 67, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2008. He was the beloved husband of Debra A. (Barton) DeMello. Jr was the son of Marie Carmen DeMello and the late John C. DeMello, and brother of the late Carmen Marie Arruda.
He was a graduate of Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket, RI. He began working at an early age in the family business, Correia & Sons, and later worked for General Dynamics in Connecticut. Upon returning to New Bedford, he opened the House of Gifts, Corvette's, and the Scrimshaw Workshop. A prominent real estate investor, he was the owner of the Moby Dick Motel, and former owner of the Roosevelt Apartments and the Moby Dick Marina.
Jr was happiest in LasVegas, his second home, playing baccarat and competing in poker tournaments. Some of his best days were spent boating on the lake in Las Vegas and fixing anything he could get his hands on. One of his greatest joys in life were his puppies, Sugar and Spice.
In 1980, Jr met the love of his life and future wife, Debby. After 28 blissful years together, they were married in 2008.
His family would like to extend a very special thank you to the following: St. Luke's Hospital SICU team for their exceptional care; Dr. Curtis Mello and Wendy, R.N., for their care and support; Dr. O'Rourke, Donna, and Peter, for going above and beyond; and Deb, Dennis, Mervin, Pat, Deb, Scott, Renae, Chris, and Dee, for daily support in standing by his side.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday February 28, 2009 at 11 AM at St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth. Entombment will take place at Acushnet Cemetery at a later date. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.