Felix P. Gomes, 84, of Marion, entered into eternal glory on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River.
Born in Bourne, he was the son of the late Julio P. and Antonia O. (Gonsalves) Gomes. He graduated from Bourne High School, Class of 1952. Mr. Gomes was a residential group home manager for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and previously worked at the former Paul A. Dever State School in Taunton.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960 where he honed his love for photography. After his service, he worked at Stewart Color Lab from 1960 until he left New York, creating images and producing print work that hung in subways and mega size billboards throughout New York City. During his career, some of his personal photos were submitted to Time Magazine.
A championship powerlifter, Mr. Gomes started weightlifting and bodybuilding during his time in the Army. At the Flatbush branch YMCA in Brooklyn, New York, he developed a program for weightlifting and sponsored weightlifting and powerlifting meets. He was a competitive member of the Staten Island Weightlifting Club. From 1971 to 1974, he was a New York Metropolitan Powerlifting Chairman and helped organize powerlifting meets in New York and New Jersey. He was also a national powerlifting referee.
Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Gomes was the top-rated powerlifter in 1969 both nationally and worldwide. He was both junior and senior national record holder in the dead lift, the United States record holder in the dead lift from 1966 to 1968, 1969 “Outstanding Powerlifter” in the New York Metropolitan Association, “Powerlifter of the Month” by the Powerlifting National Magazine, represented the United States in the first national team competition against England, and also represented the United States in three world powerlifting championships.
He is survived by his children, Felicia Gomes-Gregory of Brooklyn, NY, Kelcey Robertson of New Bedford, Kendra Gomes of Marion, and Keeland Gomes of Marion; his siblings, Robert Gomes of Falmouth, Joseph Gomes of New Bedford, Cipriana Gomes and Pedro Gomes both of Waterbury, CT, and Maria Santos of Quincy. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Danielle Gregory, Gabrielle Gregory and Kelcey Robertson, Jr., and many loved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, the late Julio Gomes, David Gomes, Christina Gomes, and Margaret Gomes.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham on Thurs., Jan. 17, 2019 from 9 to 10:30 am. A funeral Mass will follow at St. Mary’s Church, Onset Ave., Onset at 11 am. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wareham.
