Mark A. Pereira, 66 of New Bedford died June 27, 2019 at home surrounded by his family and friends after a long courageous battle with cancer.
He was the husband of the late Sheila (Poulin) Pereira.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late Antonio A. and Audrey (Faye) Pereira, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
He was formerly employed as a machine shop teacher at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and later was a para professional supporting students with intellectual disabilities at Old Rochester Regional High School and worked part time at the Nemasket Group for several years until his retirement. Mark was a lifelong musician and was a drummer and played in several bands over many years. Mr. Pereira enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, teaching and working with children. He was an advocate for children with intellectual disabilities and helped to establish the EmpowORR garden at Old Rochester Regional High School where a bench was dedicated in his name for all his support given to the students and staff at the school. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan and enjoyed watching and going to games with his family. He was a member of the International Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include his 3 sons, Stephen Brightman and his wife Carol of West Palm Beach, FL, Chris Pereira and his fiancée Lise Hindle of Westport and Mark Pereira and his wife Deborah of Dartmouth; a daughter, Patricia Brightman-Shores of East Windsor, CT; 3 sisters, Linda Stauffer and her husband Jeff of Dartmouth, Carol Luiz and her husband John and Kathy Dehner, all of New Bedford; his former wife, Linda (Tavares) Pereira; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
His visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 3-7 pm with a Funeral Service from 3:30 – 4 pm during the visiting hours in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
