Frank P. "Russo" Soares, 84, of New Bedford passed away on Friday January 15, 2010 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Tillie Faye Soares.
Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Charles and Eugenia (Pereira) Soares.
Mr. Soares was formerly employed at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company until his retirement.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and participated in the Battles of the Rhineland and Central Europe and in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He was decorated with the Victory Medal and two theater campaign ribbons. He was a member of the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Association, the Andrews-Dahill Post 1531 Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a number of Cape Verdean social clubs.
Survivors include his wife; three stepchildren, vocalist Joy Pereira of New Bedford, Rachel Gonsalves and husband Manuel of Brockton, and Garland "Chico" Blanks of South Dartmouth; a nephew, Kenneth Soares and wife Desiree of White Plains, NY; two great-nieces; two step-grandchildren; and four great-grandsons.
He was the brother of the late Eva Soares and Jack Pereira.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 9 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.