Obituaries
Related: Death Notices
LEONARD MILLER
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Leonard Miller, 69, of Miami Beach, died at home Sunday, July 28, 2002. He was the husband of Susan Miller.
Born in New Bedford, Mass., he moved to Florida shortly after he graduated from Harvard University in 1955 with a bachelor of arts degree.
Shortly after moving to south Florida, Mr. Miller co-founded Lennar Corp. (NYSE), one of the nation's largest home builders, with his longtime partner Arnold Rosen. He led the company as president and CEO until 1997. He remained actively involved in the company's leadership as the chairman of the board.
He also served as chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of LNR Property Corp. (NYSE), a leading national real estate and property management company, as well as serving as chairman of the board of directors of Union Bank of Florida, and as chairman of the board of directors of the South Florida Annenberg Challenge.
Mr. Miller led and participated in numerous professional and community service organizations. After serving as chairman of the board of trustees of the University of Miami, he became a life trustee and chairman of the Trustee Service Committee at the university. At Harvard University, his alma mater, he served on the Committee on University Resources and the Policy Advisory Board for the Joint Center for Housing Studies. He also became a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Florida Council of 100.
Mr. Miller was the chairman of the Education Committee of the Council of 100, a member of the Florida Board of Education K-20 Accountability Advisory Council, and a member of the State of Florida Education Governance Reorganization Transition Task Force. He was also active in the High Production Home Builders Council of the National Association of Home Builders.
He formerly served as a member of many professional organizations such as the Advisory Council of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Special Advisory Board on Real Estate for the General Services Administration (GSA), as a Trustee of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and as president of the Two Hundred Club of Greater Miami Inc. He has served on many nonprofit boards and committees including the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of The Miami Coalition on Drugs, the Board of Trustees of United Way of Dade County, the Board of Directors of Dade County Addiction Services Board and the Board of Governors of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida. At Harvard University, he served on the Committee to Visit the College and at the University of Miami, on the Board of Trustees of the International Oceanographic Foundation, the Executive Committee, the Finance and Audit Committee, the Master Planning and Construction Committee, the Real Estate Committee and as chairman of the Visiting Committee for the School of Law.
In May 2001, the University of Miami awarded Mr. Miller an honorary doctorate in business. And in February 2002, he and his wife were honored by the Miami Chamber of Commerce with the "Sand In My Shoes" Award.
Survivors include his widow; two brothers, Harold Miller and Irving Miller; three children, Stuart Miller, Leslie Saiontz, and Jeffrey Miller; and 10 grandchildren.
His memorial service will be at noon Tuesday at Temple Beth Shalom, 4144 Chase Ave.
ANDREW T. BARRESI
FALL RIVER -- Andrew T. Barresi, 76, of Goodwin Street, died Sunday, July 28, 2002, at Charlton Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Odelia (Freitas) Barresi.
Born in Fall River, a son of the late Francisco and Maria (Marchesi) Barresi, he was a lifelong resident of the city. He graduated from Durfee High School.
A Navy veteran of World War II, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater of war and held the rank of coxswain. He also worked in the shipyards in Portland, Maine, during the war.
He was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal, American Area Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Mr. Barresi was employed as an electrician, working on all types of planes at Quonset Point Naval Air Station. Previously, he had worked at the River Mills in Fall River as an electrician.
He was a member of the Italian Progressive Club, Sons of Italy and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts in Fall River and Tiverton, R.I.
Survivors include his widow; a daughter, Marie T. Barresi of Fall River; a son, Paul A. Barresi of Fall River; four sisters, Josephine DiSanto, Patricia Lambert and Nancy Connors, all of Fall River, and Connie Collins of Swansea; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Frank T., John F. and Anthony R. Barresi and Mary Almeida.
His funeral will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday from the Jeffrey E. Sullivan Funeral Home, 550 Locust St., with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church, Beattie Street; burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery.
JEANNETTE M. FAUCHER
NEW BEDFORD -- Jeannette M. (Chevalier) Faucher, 86, of New Bedford, died Saturday, July 27, 2002, at Mariner Health Care after a brief illness. She was the widow of Norman J. Faucher.
Born in Central Falls, R.I., the daughter of the late Henry and Rose Alma (Armstrong) Chevalier, she lived in New Bedford most of her life.
She was a communicant of St. Mary Church and was employed by Grinnell Pajama for more than 30 years as a stitcher until she retired.
Mrs. Faucher was a devoted mother and enjoyed being with her family and grandchildren.
Survivors include a daughter, Doreen N. Ferreira and her husband, Arthur, of New Bedford; a son, Norman A. Faucher of Coventry, R.I.; four grandchildren, Steven Faucher of West Yarmouth, Danielle Bergey of Oak Harbor, Wash., Jacqueline Dupuis of New Bedford and Jeanine Simmons of Norton; a sister, Rita Pelletier of New Bedford; two brothers, Roger Chevalier and Albert Chevalier of New Bedford; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Lauretta Provost, Laurie Camire, Armand Chevalier and Arthur Chevalier.
Her Mass will be at 9 a.m. tomorrow at St. Mary Church with interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery; arrangements are by the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd.
This obituary is being published again to provide additional information.
LEONARD E. PIERCE
PROVIDENCE -- Leonard E. Pierce, 80, of Fairhaven, Mass., died unexpectedly Saturday, July 27, 2002, at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the husband of Elizabeth L. (Davenport) Pierce.
Born in New Bedford, Mass., the son of the late Edward T. and Josephine S. (Philla) Pierce, he lived in Fairhaven all his life. He was a member of Unitarian Memorial Church, Fairhaven.
Mr. Pierce worked at the National Bank of Fairhaven for 41 years. He retired in 1981 as president.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II.
He was a member of the Fairhaven Improvement Association, Fairhaven Recycle Committee, New Bedford Life Stream, Paskamansett Bird Club, Fairhaven Colonial Club, WHALE, Fairhaven Historical Society, Newport Preservation Society and the George H. Taber Lodge of Masons, A.F.&A.M. of Fairhaven. He was a docent at the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Rotch-Jones-Duff House.
Survivors include his widow; a son, Jeffrey B. Pierce and his wife, Carol, of Fairhaven; a daughter, Debra A. Pierce of New Bedford; and two grandchildren, Crystal A. O'Leary and her husband, Brian, of Taunton, Mass., and Shane M. Sher and his wife, Ann Richard, of Fairhaven.
He was the brother of the late Luther S. Pierce and Helen F. Fisher.
His memorial service will be held at Unitarian Memorial Church, 102 Green St., Fairhaven, at a later date.
Arrangements are by Fairhaven Funeral Home, 117 Main St., Fairhaven.
RENATA BRIGGS
MARION -- Renata Hofmann Briggs, 72, of Marion died Saturday, July 27, 2002, at home after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was the wife of Warren Briggs.
Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, she helped her family weather World War II and developed a fondness for America while working as a translator and teacher at U.S. Air Force Europe headquarters.
In 1958, she moved to Boston, where she taught German at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Wellesley College until 1980; she participated in their first student/faculty exchanges.
She challenged her future husband, Warren Briggs, during his doctoral language requirements. They were married in 1961 at the MIT chapel. Mr. Briggs' struggles with German might have inspired her to modify the Ph.D. requirements to a conversation/ cultural course, which she taught for a decade.
They raised three children in Wellesley Hills and moved to Marion in 1988. Over the years, Mrs. Briggs had numerous German exchange students as guests in her home; she also pursued her interests in gardening, travel, cooking and reading.
She was active in the Marion Women's Club, and chaired several Christmas House Tours and the Marion Garden Discussion Group. She was a hospice volunteer, visited nursing homes and taught for the Southcoast Learning Network.
She was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Marion.
Survivors include her widower; three children, Rolf H. Briggs of Holliston, Wyman W. Briggs of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and Monica A. Briggs of Boston; two daughters-in-law, Laura and Barbara; and three granddaughters, Elizabeth Briggs, Allison Briggs and Katherine Briggs.
Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Congregational Church of Marion, Front and Main streets.
Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett.
MARY D. SOUZA
FALL RIVER -- Mary D. (Pimentel) Souza, 82, of Mount Hope Avenue, died Sunday, July 28, 2002, at Charlton Memorial Hospital. She was the widow of John A. Souza.
Born in Sao Miguel, Azores, she was the daughter of the late Mariano and Helen (Alves) Pimentel. She lived in Fall River for most of her life.
She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Angels Church, now the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Mrs. Souza was employed for 13 years as a receptionist at Community Center, Fall River. She previously worked as a clerk for Edgar's Department Store for 10 years.
She was a member of the Ocean State Senior Citizens.
Survivors include a daughter, Helen Martins of Fall River; a son, John A. Souza Jr. of Fall River; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Mariano Pimentel Jr.
Her funeral will be at 8 a.m. Wednesday from the Oliveira Funeral Home, 2064 S. Main St., with a Mass at 9 a.m. in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Dwelly Street; burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery.
DALE J. WHITE
BOSTON -- Dale Joseph White, 28, of Middleboro, died Saturday, July 27, 2002, at Boston Medical Center as a result of injuries received in a motorcycle accident in Middleboro the same day. He was the husband of Jessica (Blaine) White.
Born in Middleboro, he was the son of Stacey A. (Marra) White Rosenfield and the late David E. White. He was a 1991 graduate of Middleboro High School.
Mr. White was a manager of Paint Ball Heaven in Bridgewater.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Middleboro.
His hobbies were paint ball, fishing, hockey, playing cards, skiing, traveling and riding motorcycles.
Survivors include his widow; his mother; a brother, David E. White Jr. and his wife, Kristen, of Kittery, Maine; a stepfather, James Rosenfield; and paternal grandparents, John and Helen (Dann) White of Middleboro.
His funeral will be at 8 a.m. Thursday from the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak St., Middleboro, with a Mass at 9 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, Centre Street, Middleboro; burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Middleboro.
WILFRED F. LEVESQUE
TAUNTON -- Wilfred F. Levesque, 66, of Middleboro died Saturday, July 27, 2002, at Morton Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Marilyn (Morango) Levesque; they were married 36 years.
Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Arthur C. and Marie Anna (Laroche) Levesque.
Mr. Levesque was a baking instructor at Massachusetts Correctional Institute in Bridgewater for more than 22 years, retiring in 1990.
He served in the Army.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, the Middleboro Lodge of Elks and the Mitchell Memorial Club.
Survivors include his widow; a son, William F. Levesque of Middleboro; a daughter, Avril A. Heffernan of Middleboro; two brothers, George Levesque of Tiverton, R.I., and Philippe Levesque of North Carolina; a sister, Rose Nadeau of Fall River; four grandchildren, Matthew Levesque, Megan Levesque, Cassandra Levesque and Camren Heffernan, all of Middleboro; and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday from the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak St., Middleboro, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, Centre Street, Middleboro; burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Middleboro.
EDWARD SIMMONS
NEW BEDFORD -- Edward Simmons, 81, of David Street, died Saturday, July 27, 2002, at Kristen Beth Nursing Home after a long illness. He was the special friend of the late Madonna Santiago.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Antone and Mary (Costa) Simmons, he lived in this area all of his life.
He was a communicant of St. James Church.
Mr. Simmons was formerly employed as a custodian at New Bedford High School.
He was a World War II Army veteran, holding the rank of technical sergeant.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. James Church. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St.
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