Algie F. Wheatley, Sr., 78, of New Bedford passed away Tuesday December 15, 2020 after a long illness. He was the husband of Diana L. (Rodriques) Costa Wheatley and the late Diana R. (Mendes) Wheatley.
Born in Cambridge, Maryland, the son of the late Annie Rose Badger and Joseph Wheatley, he lived in New Bedford for many years.
Algie was formerly employed as a corrections officer for the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office for 23 years until his retirement. He had also previously worked for the Chrysler Corporation in Natick.
He was a graduate of Mace’s Lane High School in Cambridge, Class of 1960. After his graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960-1964.
He was a longtime member of the William H. Carney Lodge 200 of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In addition to his wife Diana, he is survived by his children, Shelley Mendes and her husband Steven Burgo, Doreen Mendes, Jeffrey Mendes and his wife Tieraney, Algie “Buddy” Wheatley, Jr. and his wife Andrea, Curtis Wheatley, and Joseph Wheatley; his siblings, Singleton Badger Riley, Joyce Redmond Opher, and James Redmond, Jr. and his wife Hattie; sister-in-law, Wanda; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Darlene “Skeet” Gonsalves and Maria “Tynee” Mendes, the brother of the late Larry Badger Bey, Rosemary Wheatley Merritt, and Wallace Thompson, and the grandson of the late Madge Badger, with whom he had a special bond.
His visitation will be held on Wednesday December 23, 2020 from 10 AM – 12 Noon at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. A private family burial with military honors will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Please be advised that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are strict guidelines that must be adhered to for the safety of everyone. You MUST wear a mask to be allowed entry to the services. Please practice social distancing and avoid any close contact. Guests will be permitted to pay their respects and depart to allow the next guests to enter. Capacity at the funeral home will be limited so there could be wait times outside the funeral home. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.