Anthony J. "Rico" Almeida, 82, formerly of 584 West Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford, died Tuesday July 1, 2003 at Blaire House after a long illness. He was the husband of Emily Ambra (Ramos) Almeida; they had ben married for 61 years,
A lifelong resident of New Bedford, he was the son of the late Joaquim and Gertrude (Souza) Almeida. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Assumption Church. He was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School in 1942.
Mr. Almeida was formerly employed at Rodney Metals for over 40 years before retiring as Superintendent of Maintenance.
During World War II, Mr. Almeida served in the U. S. Army with the 969th Field Artillery Battalion, participating in the battles and campaigns of Central Europe. He was a recipient of the European-Middle Eastern-African Theater Campaign ribbon, the American Theater Campaign ribbon, the Good Conduct medal and the World War II Victory medal.
An avid golfer, he was a former member of the 9-18 Golf Club and the Whaling City Golf Course.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Raymond Anthony Almeida, and his wife Arlinda, of Washington, DC; 2 daughters, Gertrude "Trudy" Encarnacao, and her husband John, of Wakefield, and Toni Almeida, and her husband Sonny, of New Bedford; a sister, Lillian Senna of New Bedford; 9 grandchildren, David Rogers, and his wife Lana, John Encarnacao and his wife Tracy, Anthony Encarnacao, Adrienne Ambra Almeida, Kristina Encarnacao and her fiancé Dan Patt, Mason Ramos Almeida, Andrea Encarnacao, Daniel Almeida and Nicole Encarnacao; 4 great-grandchildren; Lilly and Sara Rogers, and Trevor and Olivia Encarnacao; his brothers-in-law, Cass Custodio of Wakefield, Frank "Chico" Monteiro of New Bedford, and Daniel Burgo of Martha's Vineyard; his sisters-in-law, Lydia Stevens and Dorothy Lopes, both of New Bedford; his godchild, Barbara Pereira; and several nieces and nephews.He was the brother of the late Mary McGlaun, Clotilde Burgo, Florence Pontes, Pauline Monteiro and Manuel "Snubby" Almeida.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordSaturday July 5, 2003 at 9 AM.Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 10 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Friday, July 4, 2003 from 4-8 PM. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 47 South Sixth St., New Bedford, MA 02740.