New Bedford – Edward W. “Eddie” Arruda, age 65 years, loving husband and best friend of Louise E. (Baptiste) Arruda of New Bedford and Beloved father of Michael D. Arruda of North Providence, R.I. passed away at home surrounded by his family and closest friends, on Sunday , May 6th after a long Courageous battle with Cancer.
Eddie was the son of Carolina (Medeiros) Arruda of New Bedford and the late Edward S. Arruda. He was a Vietnam Veteran from 1966 to 1967. He previously worked at Chamberlan MFG. as a security guard for 16 years and was also employed with the V.A. Medical Center in Brockton, Ma for the past twenty two years, until his retirement on April 30, 2012. Eddie’s greatest pleasure was spending time with his family and friends especially the summer cookouts. He loved playing cards, enjoyed dancing, watching old classic movies and television series, reading daily newspapers and Patriots football on Sunday afternoons with his wife. Eddie’s most favorite pastime was trips to Foxwoods and vacationing in Vegas every year with his brother in law Wayne Baptiste and his wife Susan, until his illness.
In addition to his wife and son , survivors include his mother, Carolina Arruda of New Bedford, a sister Kathleen Daley and her husband Bob of Freetown, Ma, his best friend of 51 years Louis Berard and his wife Sue of Acushnet, Ma, his godchild and nephew Christopher Nolin and his wife Lori of Freetown, Ma, nephew Scott Nolin and his wife Suzanne of Bradenton, Florida, his brother in law and gambling partner Wayne Baptiste and his wife Susan of New Bedford, also several aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces whom he loved dearly.
Mr. Arruda’s Mass will be Friday May 11, 2012 at St. Martins Episcopal Church at -10:00 A.M. His visiting hours will be Thursday from 4-8 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will be Private. Arrangements are thru Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168 or a charity of one’s choice.