Joseph M. Rodriques, 89, of New Bedford died March 19, 2014 peacefully at home.
He was the husband of Jennie B. (Pontes) Rodriques.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Manuel and Mary (Santos) Rodriques, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
He was formerly employed by Theodore Loranger Construction Company for 28 years before retiring.
Mr. Rodriques served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars Andrews-Dahill Post 1531, and the Turtle Club.
Survivors include his wife, three children Rosemary Bunting and her husband Ronald of Indiana; Robert Rodriques of New Bedford, and Diana Rodriques Costa and her fiancé Algie Wheatley of New Bedford; four step-children Shirley Barboza and her husband Tom of Wareham; Bruce Joseph and his wife Pamela of Maryland; Linda Witherspoon and her husband Gregory of New Bedford and Ira Joseph and his partner, Janine da Silva of New Bedford; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Joseph is also survived by his last surviving sibling Daniel Rodrigues of Taunton; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Joseph was known as a great friend with a heart of gold and will be missed by family and friends.
He was the brother of the late Anna Askew, Frank Rodriques, Jack Rodriques and John Rodriques.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Monday, March 24th at 8 AM. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 9 AM. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, March 23rd from 3-7 PM.