Manuel C. Freitas, 97, of Mattapoisett passed away Monday January 18, 2016 at Hathaway Manor Extended Care Facility. He was the husband of the late Leona M. (Bellotti) Freitas.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Manuel C. and Maria (Caires) Freitas, he lived in New Bedford and Mattapoisett for most of his life.
He was an active communicant of St. Anthony’s Church, where he served as sexton for 18 years. He was awarded the Marian Medal by the Diocese of Fall River.
Mr. Freitas owned and operated Adrian Advertising in New Bedford until his retirement.
During World War II, he served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.
He was a member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Mattapoisett Senior Citizens. He was the last surviving founding member of the Panthers Athletic Club in New Bedford.
He is survived by his sister, Laura Pimenta of Taunton; his stepdaughter, Elaine Lambert of New Hampshire; his stepgranddaughter, Lisa Hurley; and several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was the brother of the late John Freitas, James Freitas, Mary Furtado, Delores Freitas, and Beatrice F. Dupre.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s Church. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, New Bedford. Visitation will be on Friday from 9:30-10:30 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.