Antonio B. Gracia, Jr., 89, of Westport, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the husband of the late Jean E. (Zembo) Gracia.
Born in Dartmouth, he was the son of the late Antonio B. Gracia, Sr. and Anna (Bayreuther) Gracia. He resided in Westport for over 65 years and wintered for over 30 years at Holiday Park in North Port, FL. A veteran of WWII, he served his country in the United States Navy. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Gracia worked as an engineer for the Naval Underwater Systems in Newport for over 30 years. He was the first Mechanical Engineer to graduate from New Bedford Technical Institute, now UMASS Dartmouth, in May of 1950. He held many positions on many town boards in Westport and served as Selectman from 1960-1966. He was a charter member of the Westport Lions Club and numerous other local veteran and fraternal organizations. An avid golfer, he enjoyed playing golf with his friends at the Hawthorne Country Club for over 30 years, but most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include his son: James A. Gracia and his wife Janet of Easthampton, MA; his 5 daughters: Dianne L. Rezendes and her husband Tom, Linda J. Eastwood and her husband Paul, Susan J. DeCosta and her husband Ken, Kathy L. Rego and her husband Ron, LouAnn Nygaard and her husband Klaus, all of Westport; 12 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late John, Donald and George Gracia and Ann Amaral.
Memorial service to which relatives and friends are invited will be Sunday, November 15, 2015 at the Potter Funeral Home at 4:00 P.M.
Memorial visitation will be from 1-4 P.M., at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Westport Lions Club – Scholarship Fund, 875 State Rd., Suite 11-120, Westport, MA 02790, to the Westport United Congregational Church, P.O. Box 338, Westport, MA 02790 or to a charity of your choice.