Adalberto O. "Sonny" Nereu, 78, of New Bedford died June 12, 2008 at St. Luke's Hospital after a long illness.
He was the husband of the late Mabel (Pina) Nereu.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Francisco and Margarida (Oliveira) Nereu, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
Mr. Nereu was a communicant of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church.
He was formerly employed by Minute Man Car Wash, Aerovox, Operation Mainstream before retiring from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.
Mr. Nereu served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a founding member and past commander of the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Association. He was also an active leader for the Vets drum and bugle corps.
He enjoyed playing sports in his youth and later watching sports, refereeing basketball at C.Y.O., and local politics.
Survivors include 2 daughters, Anna Gomes and her husband John of Middleboro and Margaret Nereu of New Bedford; a sister, Valentina N. Almeida of New Bedford; 3 grandchildren, Joseph Anthony Nereu, Sean Michael McCormack and Jacqueline Ariana Gomes; a great-granddaughter, Madison Jean Nereu; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Manuel Nereu, Angelina Nereu and Francisco Nereu.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Tuesday, June 17th at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church at 10 AM followed by burial in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday, June 16th from 4-8 PM.