Frank M. Rodrigues, 69, of New Bedford passed away at home with his family at his side on Thursday, December 9, 2010. He was the husband of Mary Louise (Gomes) Rodrigues.
Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Manuel and Maria (Santos) Rodrigues.
He graduated from New Bedford High School Class of 1959. He also attended Bridgewater State Teacher's College, Babson College, and took classes at many other institutions of higher learning.
Frank was a parishioner of the Our Lady of Assumption Church.
He served in the U. S. Army in Korea from 1963-1965.
He retired from New England Telephone Company after 33 years as a splicer, journeyman, foreman and retired a Specific Design Engineer. He was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers Network.
An avid golfer, Frankie was the current President of the 9-18 Golf Club and was a member for over 40 years. He was a member of the New Bedford Municipal Golf Course. He was a past president and member of the Cape Verdean Ultramarine Band Club. He was a founder and member of the Young Cape Verdean Athletic Club. He was a member of the Cape Verdean Veterans Association, the Bisca Club, and the Merchant Mariners Club. He also was on the Board of Directors for Model Cities.
Frankie was a die hard Yankees fan since he was a young man and he also loved the Patriots and the Celtics.
He is survived by his wife; his son, Frank M. Rodrigues Jr.; his daughter Kerri L. Rodrigues and her fiancé Kwamé Bartie; and his brothers, Joseph Rodrigues and his wife Jennie of New Bedford and Daniel Rodrigues and his wife Lillian of Taunton. He leaves several brothers and sisters-in-law, godchildren, nieces and nephews. Those who knew him, knew he also would not hesitate to show anyone a picture of his grand puppies, M-n-M, Muffins, Cocoa, Emmitt and Bosco.
He was the brother of the late Anna Askew, John Rodrigues, and Joaquim"Jack" Rodrigues.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 9 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 3-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Flowers are welcome or donations can be made in his honor to the Boys and Girls Club of New Bedford, 166 Jenney Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, the 9-18 Youth Golf Club, c/o Sec. Lena Almeida, P.O. Box 51048, New Bedford, MA 02745, or Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, 47 South Sixth Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.