James G. Mendonca Sr.
...active in Tewksbury Senior, Town and fraternal affairs; 78
TEWKSBURY - James G. Mendonca Sr. 78, a well known and active resident of Tewksbury,died unexpectedly on Thursday evening, Feb.. 21, at the Lowell General Hospital. He was thehusband of Mildred (Medeiros) Mendonca, with whom he would have celebrated a 54th weddinganniversary on July 10th.
He was born in New Bedford, March 2, 1923, a son of the late Luiz and Maria Mendonca. Hewas raised in New Bedford, but had lived in Tewksbury since 1955.
In 1943, he interrupted his college education to enlist into the Army Air Force. He served in the328th Fighter Squadron based in England. He earned numerous medals, ribbons and badgesincluding the Victory Medal.
Upon demobilization from the Air Force, he resumed his education and graduated ProvidenceCollege.
He retired from April Industries in Hudson N.H. where he had worked as an estimator.
He was active in St. William’s Parish, as an usher at the weekly 4:00 p.m. Saturday Masses. Heserved as Past Grand Knight and was a life member of the Fr. Coppens Council, Knights ofColumbus, #4336 in Tewksbury, where he called Bingo on Thursday evening for more than 20years. He also was a 4th Degree member of the Bishop Delaney K of C, and served the regional Kof C as a Past District Director.He served on the Board of Directors for the Tewksbury Community Food Pantry, served on theTown of Tewksbury’s Council on Aging, the Tewksbury Patriotic Activities Committee, and inthe past, the Tewksbury Democratic Committee.He volunteered as a driver for the Oblate Father’s Infirmary and also held membership in theV.F.W. and American Legion.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Maria Gaspar of Lowell, a daughter-in-law,Catherine (Manion) Mendonca of Tewksbury, a son-in-law Leo Gaspar Sr. of Lowell, two sisters,Mary Mendonca and Alcina “Tina” Mendonca both of New Bedford, seven grandchildren,Shawn, Timothy, James, Sonia, and Leo Gaspar Jr. all of Lowell, Kristine and Stephen Mendoncaboth of Tewksbury.
He was also father of the late James G. Mendonca Jr. who died in 2000, and brother of the lateMonsignor Luiz Mendonca, Mass. State Senator George Mendonca and Edward Mendonca.
His Funeral Mass was held Monday inSt. William’s Church . Interment was in the National Cemetery at Cape Cod.
Memorials to the Friends of the Elderly BuildingFund, c/o Senior Drop-in Center, 175 Chandler St. Tewksbury, MA 01876 will be appreciated.