Robert "Chopper" DaCosta, 83, of New Bedford died Tuesday September 13, 2016 at home.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Everett and Mary (Bettencourt) DaCosta, he was a lifelong resident of the New Bedford area.
During the Korean War, he served in the United States Marine Corps from 1951 – 1953.
Mr. DaCosta served as an esteemed member of the Dartmouth Police Department from 1965 - 1999, including his time in the position of Safety Officer, where he was fondly known as "Officer Bob."
Chopper was an avid motorcycle rider and participated in several benefit rides. He was a member of the Washington Club and the Independent Bikers Federation.
Survivors include two sons, Dale DaCosta and his wife Leslie of Dartmouth, and Todd DaCosta and his wife Peggy of Milton; nine grandchildren, Patrick, Luke, Jake, DJ, Matt, Abby, Keith, and Kristen DaCosta and Kyle Audette; three great-grandchildren, Jordan and Averie DaCosta and Nicholas Barnes; the mother of his children, Florence DaCosta of Dartmouth; and his longtime companion, Cynthia Amarello of Somerset.
He was predeceased by his son Mark DaCosta and his granddaughter Erin DaCosta.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday September 19, 2016 from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. A private family burial with military honors will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Gift Processing Administrator, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA 22172 (www.toysfortots.org). For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.