Joaquim "Jack" Nobrega, 88, of New Bedford died November 19, 2018 after a brief illness.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Jose and Herminha (Nunes) Nobrega, he was a lifelong resident of the city. A 1949 graduate of New Bedford High School, Jack was an outstanding baseball and basketball player. He was inducted into the New Bedford High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended S.M.T.I. (UMass-Dartmouth) for 2 years prior to honorably serving his country as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
Jack was employed for many years as the Assistant Executive Director of the New Bedford Housing Authority. He also worked part-time for the Bristol County District Attorney's Office and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office in his post retirement years.
Jack is perhaps best remembered as the basketball coach at Holy Family High School in the 1960's and 70's during which time his team achieved great success. Most important to Jack was the lifelong bond that he shared with his former players and managers. For his efforts he was inducted into the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.
Jack was elected to the New Bedford School Committee in 1975 and served 42 years, the longest tenure on record. He was also a longtime member of the New Bedford Voc-Tech Regional School Committee. Jack belonged to various local organizations including the Prince Henry Society, Clube Sport Madeirense, and the Panthers Athletic Club. Jack gave generously of his time and money to many worthy causes.
He is predeceased in death by his infant son, Paul, and was the brother of the late Americo "Mac" Nobrega, Manuel Nobrega, Joseph Nobrega, and Salome "Sally" Fernandes. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara, his son David and wife Shannon of Marion, his grandson Nicholas of Marion, and his twin grandsons Patrick and wife Molly of Acushnet and Christopher of Fort Benning, GA.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday November 26, 2018 at 9 AM in Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mount Pleasant St., New Bedford. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the Church. Private burial will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Visiting hours will be on Sunday November 25, 2018 from 2-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Veterans Transition House, 344 County St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Bedford, 166 Jenney St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.