Robert A. Dias, 77, of Dartmouth passed away peacefully on September 10, 2009 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Bob was born on August 31, 1932 in the West End of New Bedford. He was the son of the late Leo and Irene (Vincent) Dias. He was a member of the 1949 New Bedford High School Football Team County Champions. After graduating from New Bedford High School in 1950, he went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut. During the Korean War, he was a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, stationed in Japan and India.
Bob worked as a paper salesman for RIS Paper Company in Providence. He was President of the President's Club and voted top salesman while at RIS.
Bob was a former member of the Wamsutta Club and the Country Club of New Bedford. He was the former President of Anthony Beach in South Dartmouth. Bob loved living in Padanaram surrounded by his wife, five children, and nine grandchildren. He always lived in a big house with a slamming screen door and lots of noise. He was an avid Red Sox fan, who often was frustrated by his team and threatened to stop watching every week.
Bob is survived by his beautiful and devoted wife of 51 years, Joyce Ann (Wall) Dias; they began dating when they were 15 years old. He also leaves behind his five children, Robert A. Dias, Jr. of New Bedford, Susan E. Kiley and her husband Bill, Margaret A. Silvia and her husband Jack, Catherine J. Dias and her partner Daphne E. Saverine, and Joyce D. Sioch and her husband Jeff, all of Dartmouth. He had nine of the sweetest grandchildren, John, Jed, Liv, Charlie, Rita, Jake, Dot, Robert, and Sophie. Bob was brother to Richard L. Dias of Assonet, and uncle to Richard Dias, Jr., David Dias, and Nancy Campbell.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 AM at St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Diabetes Association of Fall River, 170 Pleasant St., P. O. Box 1525, Fall River, MA 02722. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.