Durval "Duke" Rodrigues, of Dartmouth died October 26, 2011 at Charlton Memorial Hospital.
He was the husband of the late Anne V. (Collard) Rodrigues.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late Manuel S. and Mary (Silva) Rodrigues, he lived in Dartmouth most of his life.
Mr. Rodrigues was formerly employed by the Mass Medical Society as a Government Relations Specialist, and the Mass Hospital Association as Vice President of Health Care Finance and Government Relations. He was also formerly the Associate Director of St. Luke’s Hospital.
He was a graduate of New Bedford High School, Class of 1942, and Kinyon Business School. He attended Indiana University, Bay State Realty Academy and Southeastern Massachusetts University.
He was a member of the American Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Hospital Association, the American College Health Care Executives, a charter life member Health Care Financial Management Association, former board director and member of the Audit Committee of N.B.I.S., past president of Greater New Bedford United Fund and 1964 chairman of United Fund Campaign, past president of Cachalot Council Boy Scouts of America, past chairman of New Bedford Chapter American Red Cross, past president of New Bedford Community Council, past vice president of Massachusetts Junior Chamber of Commerce, past director of New Bedford Kiwanis Club, past chairman of American Field Service of Greater New Bedford, past chairman of Kiwanis Fresh Air Fund, past president of P.T.A., director of Charles J. Lewin Interfaith Scholarship Foundation, patron of Zeiterion Theatre, member of the 13 Stripers Club, member of the Country Club of New Bedford, Star in the East Paskamansett Lodge A.F. & A.M., 32nd degree Shriner, member of U.S.S. Canberra Reunion Association and past treasurer of Grace Episcopal Church.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was the recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Medal with one star, Philippine Independence Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Badge, American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
Survivors include a son, Glenn Rodrigues of New Bedford; three daughters, Maryanne Surprenant and her husband Ernest of Mattapoisett, and Gale Moura and Dawn Mendes and her husband Bill, all of Dartmouth; and five grandchildren, Lisa, Kelly, Kristen, David and Katie.
His private Funeral Service was held on Friday, October 28th in the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford. Burial followed in Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 970025 Boston, MA 02297-0025 or Shriners Hospital for Children 51 Blossom St. Boston, MA 02114.