Reinaldo A. Oliveira, Sr., 84, of New Bedford died January 28, 2007 at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home after a long illness.
He was the husband of Louise C. (Silva) Oliveira and the late Jennie T. (Barboza) Oliveira.
Born in Central Falls, RI, the son of the late John A. and Constancia (Ascencio) Oliveira, he had lived in Wareham and New Bedford for most of his life.
Mr. Oliveira was a communicant of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
He was formerly employed as a carpenter for Hardy Brothers Construction in Dartmouth.
Mr. Oliveira served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was a recipient of the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign medal with 4 bronze service stars, the American Defense Service medal, the American Campaign medal, the Good Conduct medal and the World War II Victory medal. He later served 8 years in the Naval Reserve, and had also served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Vermont from 1938-1940.
Mr. Oliveira was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Fort Phoenix Post 2892 in Fairhaven and Disabled American Veterans Dr. C.E. Burt Chapter 7, and past Commander and life member of the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Association. He was a former scout master for the Boy Scouts.
Survivors include his wife; 6 sons, Kenny DeGrace,and his wife Carmen, Justin Gomes, Raymond "Sucra" Oliveira, and Isaac Pina, all of New Bedford, Reinaldo A. Oliveira, Jr. of Carver, and Robert J. Oliveira of West Wareham; 2 daughters, Jeannie Gomes of Wareham, and Constance Livingston, and her husband James, of Spring, TX; 3 step-sons, Anthony DePina, Jr., and his wife Carmen, of Jersey City, NJ, Moses DePina, and his wife Roberta, of Dartmouth and Anthony C. Oliveira of Plymouth; 5 step-daughters, Antoinette DePina, Anna May Rudolph, Marion DePina and Rose Marie DePina Gomes, all of New Bedford and Dianna Weathers of Manchester, NH; over 80 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
He was the father of the late Luiz Pina, step-father of the late Frank "Joey" DePina and brother of the late Eunice Andrew.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 2nd at 9 AM in Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Burial will follow in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours Thursday, February 1st from 5-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford.