Dartmouth – Walter P. Faria, age 89 years, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2009, peacefully surrounded by his loving family, at Brandon Woods of Dartmouth. He was the beloved husband of Rose (Lopes) Faria of S. Dartmouth. Walter was the loved father of Walter Faria and Sandra Allen both of S. Dartmouth, loving grandfather of Sarah Allen of S. Dartmouth, Cara O’Brien of Easton, MA, Morgan Faria of Dartmouth and Courtney B. Pragana of Dartmouth, beloved great-grandfather of Sean O’Brien, Elizabeth O’Brien, Javar Williams and A.J. Pragana and several nieces and nephews. Walter was also the brother of the late Capt. Richard Faria and John P. Faria.
Mr. Faria was a son of the late John P. and Adelaide B. (Cordeiro) Faria. He was born New Bedford and has lived in this area all of his life. Mr. Faria retired from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. He had served in both the Merchant Marine and the U.S. Army.
Walter was a star baseball player for Mount Carmel CYO and later for New Bedford Vocational High School where he graduated in 1941. Following graduation he joined the Merchant Marines during WWII. He traveled extensively as a merchant marine transporting American Soldiers to Africa.
Mr. Faria was inducted in the Dartmouth Athletic Hall of Fame as a special achievement award. He enjoyed watching Dartmouth High Football games, Spending time with his beloved grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Walter was particularly fond of his son’s Portuguese Water Dogs, Tucker, Zoë, and Charlie.
Mr. Faria’s Funeral will be Tuesday at Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. at 7:45 A.M with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church, S. Dartmouth at 9 A.M. Burial will follow at St John Cemetery, New Bedford MA. Visiting hours are Monday from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dartmouth Athletic Hall of Fame C/O Dartmouth High School 366 Slocum Rd. Dartmouth, MA, 02747