Mario S. Bala, 78, of New Bedford died November 27, 2018 at St. Luke's Hospital after a long courageous battle with cancer.
He was the husband of Laura (Baptista) Bala, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage.
Born in Brava, Cape Verde, son of the late Jose and Biblina (Sena) Bala, he lived in Acushnet and New Bedford most of his life.
Mr. Bala was a communicant of St. Julie Billiart Church.
He was formerly employed by Cliftex for 41 years until his retirement.
Mr. Bala enjoyed playing cards and trips to the casinos. He was a Boston sports fan and enjoyed watching his grandchildren's sporting events.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Michael Bala of New Bedford; a daughter, Sandra Larocque and her husband Jeffrey of Middleboro; a brother, Victor Bala and his wife Bunny of Fairhaven; a sister, Clarisse Pires of Fairhaven; 4 grandchildren, Cameron, Timothy, Gabrielle and Julia; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews,
He was the grandfather of the late Nicholas Larocque and the brother of the late Ana Andrade and Maria Jose Silva.
His Funeral will be held on Saturday, December 1st at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 AM at St. Julie Billiart Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday, November 30th from 3-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.