Manuel Martins, Sr., 81, of Dartmouth died Saturday January 8, 2005 at Alden Court Nursing Home in Fairhaven after a brief illness. He was the husband of Dorothy (Freitas) Sylvia Martins and the late Deolinda (Ramos) Martins.
Born in Dartmouth, the son of the late Antone and Mary (Oliveira) Martins, he lived in Dartmouth all of his life.
He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church.
Mr. Martins was the proprietor of Martins Service Station for many years until his retirement.
He was a member and past president of the Portuguese-American Civic League. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and participated in the Campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with four Bronze Stars.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Dennis J. Martins and his wife Cathy of New Bedford, and Manuel Martins, Jr. and his wife Maureen of Dartmouth; a daughter, Judith A. DaRocha and her husband Bruce of New Bedford; a brother, Antone Martin of Dartmouth; a sister, Estafania Alves of Dartmouth; six grandchildren, Eric J. Martins, Paul J. Martins, Monica Martins, Michael C. Doyle, Kimberly Martins, and Heather Martins; and nieces and nephews.
He was the grandfather of the late Christopher J. Doyle and brother of the late Mary Cabral.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Tuesday January 11, 2005 at 8:45 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Monday January 10, 2005 from 4-8 PM. Entombment will be in St. John's Cemetery.