Richard J. Fonseca, 80, of New Bedford died Friday May 22, 2009 at St. Luke's Hospital from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was the husband of Dolores (DeBarros) Fonseca.
Born in New Bedford, the son of Manuel J. Fonseca and Mary (Pacheco) Lester, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
Mr. Fonseca was formerly employed as a corporate chef for Holiday Inns throughout New England. He later worked with his son at Just Ray's Restaurant in Fairhaven.
He was a life member of the United Social Club.
Survivors include his wife; six children, Edgar Fonseca and his wife Rose, Raymond Fonseca and his wife Sharleen, and Brenda Fonseca, all of New Bedford, Todd Fonseca of Las Vegas, NV, Richard Fonseca, Jr. and Christina Fonseca, both of Lynn; two brothers, Edward Fonseca and his wife Marie of Statesville, NC and Antonio Fonseca and his wife Eartha of Austin, TX; a sister, Shirley Surprenant and her husband Ronald of New Bedford; his sister-in-law, Clara Fonseca of New Bedford; 16 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Dale C. Fonseca, father-in-law of the late Lisette Velez, grandfather of the late Dale Fonseca, Jr., Silkia Fonseca, and Jovaun Fonseca, brother of the late Manuel J. Fonseca, Jr., Josephine Correia and Patricia DeSantos.
His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 10 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.