It’s been a long day… It started about 12:30am when we got the call from our dear friend, Dorrie, that her father, Manny, had passed away. It wasn’t unexpected but it’s still a shock and a loss. He was 84. It was also a bit of a surprise to realize he was younger than I am right now when we first met almost 29 years ago. And less than 2 weeks before the 1 year anniversary of my father’s death.
The two of them were a lot alike – especially in their last years. Neither could get over the fact that they had lost their best girlfriends (of more than 50 years) before them, and neither of them ever quite adjusted to living without them.
I’m heading to Boston on Thursday to say my last goodbye in person, although it’s not really “goodbye”. I’ll carry a little spark of him with me, just as I carry my mom and dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends – all of those people who have been a part of my life.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Heartaches and memories.
I have so many of both…..
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Manuel Manny Medeiros was a first generaton Portuguese-American gentleman born from a mother who hailed from the Portuguese mainland- The Old Country- and a father born on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. He was the husband of the late Beatrice Louise (Russell) Medeiros.
Manny spoke only Portuguese up until five years of age. Upon entering school his mother announced from now on we only speak English in this household-you are to teach me English and so he did. Manny had many fond memories of growing up on Dennis and Fulton Streets in Peabody, MA during the heart of the depression.
Manny enlisted in the Navy during World War II as a radio man on the PT Boat Chow Down thus becoming a member of The Greatest Generation. He served in both the Pacific Theater (Phillipines) and in the Atlantic Theater (Mediterranean). His proudest moment of service was taking part in the liberation of Australian nationals from a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp.
When Manny returned from the war he became a founding member of the Portuguese American War Veteran’s Post #1 located in Peabody, MA. It was here that he courted and married Beatrice Russell, after meeting her on a blind date arranged by their mothers. They soon settled in Hamilton where they raised three children, often waltzing in the kitchen to their personal theme song Spanish Eyes. During his later years he enjoyed walking his grandson, Jordan Kimkaran, to school.
For many years Manny and his wife belonged to the square dance clubs The Shindiggers from Wenham and The Riverside Squares from Danvers, MA.
Manny was always active and worked for over 45 years at the Sylvania Plant-Lighting Division on Loring Avenue in Salem as a machinist and became a member of their Quarter Century Club. Upon retirement, Manny worked at the Peabody Essex Museum, , the North Shore Mall , and at Rich’s Department Store as a Security Guard. He enjoyed over twenty year of official retirement with his beloved wife Bea in their home in Hamilton.
A man’s man, a true gentleman, a terrific dancer and beloved father. We will always love you and will always miss you, dear ol’ Dad.
Mr. Medeiros is survived by a daughter, Dorrie L. Kimkaran of Hamilton, two sons and their spouses, David W. and Lina Medereiros of Cascais, Portugal and Darren and Jane Medeiros of Pleasanton, CA; seven grandchildren, Ann, Jessica, Elaine, Lillian, Vasco and Amalia Medeiros and Jordan Kimkaran. He was predeceased by two sisters, Dorothy and Margarita Medeiros.
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What a touching tribute. Manny was a dad to many! Everyone that came in contact with him love his advice, and presence. Although stern at times dad was always fair and a friend to all who would listen to his stories.