Obituaries

Related: Death Notices

*Index*
Muriel E. Bowen	Henry J. Guay Jr.
Raisa Gorbachev	Walter Robertshaw, 90
David W. Ritchie	David A. Johns
Raymond F. Rheaume	Auro A. Gaspperazzo
Wendell D. Swanson	Joao B. Galvao, 91
Arthur F. Louro	Marion P. Torres
George O. Marote	Maria Souza, 90

Muriel E. Bowen

WARREN, R.I. -- Muriel E. (Cole) Bowen, 78, of Child Street, formerly of Asylum Road, died Thursday, Sept. 16, 1999, at home. She was the widow of Harold C. Bowen.

Born in Barrington, the daughter of the late Warren Cole and the late Ethelyn (Chace) Cole Chagnon, she lived in Warren for most of her life.

A graduate of Joseph Case High School, Swansea, Mass., Mrs. Bowen was the co-owner and operator of the former Capeway Dinette in Swansea for many years.

Survivors include three nieces, Mattie Chase of Taunton, Mass., Jacqueline Costa of Somerset, Mass. and Barbara Thorpe of New Jersey.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Birchcrest Home of Waring-Sullivan-Ashton-Coughlin-Driscoll, 189 Gardner's Neck Road, Swansea.

Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River, Mass.

Henry J. Guay Jr.

SEATTLE -- Henry Joseph Guay Jr., 71, of Bonney Lake, Wash., died Friday, Sept. 17, 1999, at the Seattle Veterans Affairs Hospital in Seattle after a brief illness.

Born in New Bedford, Mass., son of the late Henry J. Sr. and Elmira (Chase) Guay, Mr. Guay spent his early years in New Bedford and later lived in Cambridge, Mass., and Weymouth, Mass., before moving to Washington and settling in Bonny Lake 35 years ago.

Mr. Guay, a graduate of New Bedford High School, entered the Army in 1950. He served in Germany and was discharged in 1953, having been awarded the Army Occupation Medal, Germany.

A pattern-maker and model-maker, Mr. Guay was employed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, General Dynamics in Quincy, Mass., Pratt-Whitney Aircraft in Hartford, Conn., and most recently Boeing Aircraft in Seattle.

Mr. Guay was a classical guitarist and enjoyed woodworking.

Survivors include a brother, Roger R. Guay of Abington, Mass.; a niece, Michelle Beckman of Weymouth; a nephew, Mark Guay of Quincy; and two great-nephews.

The funeral and visitation for Mr. Guay will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at the Brooklawn Funeral Home, 15 Irvington Court, New Bedford, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church on Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford at 11. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery No. 2 in New Bedford.

In death, Raisa Gorbachev gets admiration

By Anna Dolgov, Associated Press writer

MOSCOW -- Deeply scorned in Russia while she lived, Raisa Gorbachev was inundated with veneration and praise after she died yesterday of leukemia -- a sharp, and belated, swing of the nation's emotional pendulum.

The wife of the last Soviet president, Mikhail Gorbachev, died at the Muenster University Clinic in Germany at the age of 67. Her husband and their daughter were with Mrs. Gorbachev when she died, doctors said.

Mrs. Gorbachev was as reviled at home as she was admired in the West. Many Russians derided her for her stylish clothes, her poise, and most of all, for carving out a public role for herself.

Even the love and support Mrs. Gorbachev so clearly showed for her husband created resentment in Russia.

Now, ordinary Russians are speaking out in admiration of the Gorbachevs' love and professing admiration for the ex-president and first lady.

Telephones and fax machines at the Gorbachev Foundation were flooded with calls from ordinary people and politicians, foundation spokeswoman Irina Malikova said.

"It's a very big tragedy. I'm just very sorry," said one mourner, who gave only her first name, Irina.

President Boris Yeltsin, a bitter rival of Gorbachev in the twilight years of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, sent a telegram expressing grief and condolences.

Resentment of the Gorbachevs began to change after Mrs. Gorbachev was diagnosed as having acute leukemia and admitted to the Muenster clinic on July 25. She underwent chemotherapy and showed some improvement, but her condition deteriorated in recent days.

Mrs. Gorbachev was admired in the West, where her intellect, style and outspoken manner -- together with the glasnost and perestroika reforms of her husband -- helped demolish the image of the Soviet Union as an evil empire.

In a statement, former first lady Nancy Reagan said, "Ronnie and I are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Raisa Gorbachev's passing. ... We believe that Raisa was a strong partner with her husband and an important voice in the friendship that our two countries established in the late 1980s. Our sympathy and prayers go out to Mikhail and his family."

At home, it went largely unnoticed that Mrs. Gorbachev donated much of her wealth and helped raise more than $8 million in the past few years for children's leukemia hospitals in Russia, according to foundation figures.

But most of all she was resented for even daring to appear in public with her husband.

"In her motherland, Raisa Maximovna couldn't be forgiven for the equality in the Gorbachev family," Russia's ORT television network said in a commentary yesterday.

Raisa Maximovna Titorenko was born Jan. 5, 1932, in southern Siberia, and met Gorbachev while both were students at Moscow State University. She studied sociology; he studied law. They were married in September 1953, and moved to Gorbachev's home region of Stavropol in southern Russia when he graduated in 1955.

Mrs. Gorbachev taught Marxist-Leninist philosophy in Stavropol, and later took a job as a lecturer at her alma mater, Moscow State, when her husband returned to Moscow as a rising Communist Party official. She gave up her job when Gorbachev became Communist Party chief in 1985.

Walter Robertshaw, 90

FALL RIVER -- Walter "Walt" Francis Robertshaw, 90, of Main Road, Tiverton, R.I., formerly Canonicus Street, Tiverton, for many years, died Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999, at St. Anne's Hospital. He was the husband of Hazel J. (Hunt) Robertshaw; they would have been married 66 years on Sept. 30.

Born in Tiverton, the son of the late Joseph E. and Annie (Greenwood) Robertshaw, he was a lifelong resident of the city.

Mr. Robertshaw owned and operated Briarwood Kennels in Tiverton for more than 30 years; he retired in the mid-1960s.

He was a nationally known trainer of pointers and setters, and won many trophies and championships along the East Coast from New England to Florida.

Mr. Robertshaw was a licensed electrician and head of the gun clip department at the former Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Fall River during World War II.

He attended the First Primitive Methodist Church of Tiverton. He was a Mason and a member of the Eureka Lodge 22, A.F. and A.M., Portsmouth, R.I.

Survivors include his widow; two sisters, Alice Gray and Gladys Couturier, both of Tiverton; a brother, Vernon Robertshaw of Tiverton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Mildred Robertshaw.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Primitive Methodist Church, 198 Main Road, Tiverton.

Burial will be in Pocasset Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the "Cherry Place" Home of Waring-Sullivan-Ashton-Coughlin-Driscoll, 178 Winter St.

David W. Ritchie

RALEIGH, N.C. -- David W. Ritchie, 86, of Raleigh, formerly of New Bedford, Mass., died at home Monday, Sept. 20, 1999. He was the widower of Ida M. (Cory) Ritchie, who died on Sept. 1, 1999.

Born in New Bedford, son of the late David F. and Louise A. (Wood) Ritchie, he lived in North Carolina for seven years and previously lived in Ohio and New Bedford.

Mr. Ritchie was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance and Commerce and was a consulting engineer for various steel mills in Cincinnati. He was a member of the New Bedford High School Football Hall of Fame.

Survivors include three sons, David F. Ritchie of Winnpeg, Manitoba, Canada, Frank J. Ritchie of Cincinnati and Philip A. Ritchie of Raleigh; a daughter, Susan I. Todres of Medway, Mass.; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was the brother of the late Frederick Ritchie and Elizabeth Krook.

His funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Smith-Mason Funeral Home, 398 Willett Ave., Riverside, R.I.

Burial will be in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport, Mass.

David A. Johns

WAREHAM -- David A. Johns, 25, of Wareham, died unexpectedly at home, Sunday, Sept. 19, 1999. He was the son of Martin E. and Ann (Hatch) Johns of Wareham.

Born in Brockton, he lived in Wareham for 12 years. He graduated from Wareham High School, attended Bristol Community College for one year and spent a semester at Cape Cod Community College for Floral Design.

Mr. Johns worked in numerous flower shops in the area.

Survivors include his parents; a brother, Martin C. Johns and his wife, Joy Lynn Johns, of Wareham; his paternal grandmother, Dorothy Fifield of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

A Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Patrick's Church, Wareham. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Wareham.

Arrangements are by the Stott, Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., (Rt. 28) Wareham.

Raymond F. Rheaume

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Raymond F. Rheaume, 86, of St. Petersburg, died unexpectedly at home, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1999. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Runtz) Rheaume and widower of Antoinette (Deschamps) Rheaume.

Born in New Bedford, Mass., July 3, 1913, he was a former resident of South Dartmouth, Mass., and Westport, Mass., until moving to Florida.

He was an electric motor repairman for Northern/DG Motor Repair until retiring in 1976.

Survivors include his widow; two daughters, Irene Amaral of Calif., and Jeanne Gobeil of Texas; a son, Leo of Connecticut; a stepdaughter, Joanne Frankovich of Minnesota; a stepson, James Runtz of Illinois; two brothers, Armand Rheaume and Eugene Rheaume, both of South Dartmouth; two sisters, Margaret Lapointe of Avon, Mass., and Cecile St. Aubin of Groveland; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at St. Mary Church, Dartmouth Street, Dartmouth, followed by interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Mount Pleasant Street, New Bedford.

Arrangements were by the Gulfport Memorial Funeral Home, Gulfport, Fla.

Auro A. Gaspperazzo

NEW BEDFORD -- Auro A. Gaspperazzo, 39, of Dartmouth, died at a friend's home, Friday, Sept. 17, 1999. He was the son of the late Geraldo and Lourdes (Deliao) Gaspperazzo.

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he lived in this area since 1979.

He was a fisherman aboard the fishing vessel Kathy & Jackie. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Survivors include four sisters, Esmeralda G. Dos Santos and Zindara J. Bezerra, both of Dartmouth, Zilda A. Simoes of New Bedford and Sonia R. Gaspperazzo of Sao Paulo; and five nieces and two nephews.

His funeral Mass will be at 9 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Arrangements are by the Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St., New Bedford.

Wendell D. Swanson

WAREHAM -- Wendell D. Swanson, 75, of Wareham, died at home, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1999. He was the husband of Marilyn E. (Minter) Swanson and son of the late Mildred (Douglas) and Carl U. Swanson.

Born in Brockton, he served three years overseas in Germany, France, Belguim, England and Scotland, during World War II.

Survivors include his widow; two sons, Steven P. Swanson of Mashpee and Douglas Swanson of Arlington; three daughters, Karen I. of Brockton, and Susan E. and Sandra D., both of Wareham; two brothers, Kenneth Swanson of East Bridgewater and Carl U. Swanson of Halifax; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A private service was held.

Arrangements were by the Sperry & McHoul Funeral Home, North Attleboro.

Joao B. Galvao, 91

FALL RIVER -- Joao B. Galvao, 91, of Read Street, Somerset, formerly of Fall River, a custodian for seven years at the former Rhondo Knitting, previously working for many years at a shoe factory in Melbourne, died Sunday, Sept. 19, 1999. He was the widower of Elvira (Arruda) Galvao.

Born in Santa Barbara, Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel, Azores, the son of the late Luis B. and Maria da Incarnacao (Medeiros) Galvao, he had lived in Fall River since 1965 and moved to Somerset 3½ years ago.

He retired from Rhondo Knitting in 1973.

He was a member of Santo Christo Church.

Survivors include two sons, Joao L. Galvao of Fall River and Jose A. Galvao of Somerset; a daughter, Maria Conceicao Medeiros of Montreal; four brothers, Antonio Galvao of Quebec, Luis Galvao of Ontario, Canada, and Edmundo Galvao and Jose Galvao, both of Sao Miguel; three sisters, Rita Galvao of Ontario and Maria Jose Galvao and Odilia Galvao, both of Sao Miguel; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the father of the late Maria Deus Costa and brother of the late Belmira Galvao and Maria Galvao.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Oliveira Funeral Home, 215 Columbia St., with a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Santo Christo Church, Columbia Street.

Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Robeson Street.

Arthur F. Louro

NEW BEDFORD -- Arthur F. Louro, 76, a cook, died Monday, Sept. 20, 1999, at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Leonora P. (Pinheiro) Louro.

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Joseph Francisco and Silvina (Lopes) Louro, he lived in the area all of his life.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 459 and 40/8 Voitures.

Mr. Louro was a career serviceman, having served his country in the armed services for 21 years.

In the early part of World War II, he served in the Navy Seabees, then transferring to the Army for the latter part of the war.

He continued his service in the Army throughout the Korean War and beyond. He was the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal and the Soldier's Medal for Heroism and Bravery.

Survivors include his widow; a son, Gregory Louro of New Bedford; a daughter, Catherine Giovannini of Dartmouth; and a grandson, Nicholas Giovannini of Dartmouth.

His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St.

Burial will be in Rural Cemetery.

Marion P. Torres

NEW BEDFORD -- Marion P. (Shollhorn) Torres, 71, of New Bedford, died at home Sunday, Sept. 19, 1999, after a brief illness. She was the former wife of the late Bernard F. Torres.

Born in Munich, Germany, she had lived in New Bedford since 1948. She was a self-employed massage therapist until her retirement in 1997.

Mrs. Torres enjoyed swimming.

Survivors include three daughters, Cyndie B. Lechuga of San Jose, Calif., Deborah M. Torres of Assonet, and Tina L. Torres of New Bedford; a son, Bernard H. Torres of Dartmouth; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are by the Kirby Funeral Home, 61 Tarkiln Hill Road.

George O. Marote

NEW BEDFORD -- George O. Marote, 56, of Acushnet, died Monday, Sept. 20, 1999, at St. Luke's Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of Nancy B. (Goulet) Marote; they were married for 26 years.

Born in Dartmouth, the son of Gabriel O. Marote of New Bedford and the late Doris (DeMello) Buteau, he lived in New Bedford for some time before moving to Acushnet 27 years ago.

A communicant of St. Mary's Church, Fairhaven, he was educated in New Bedford area schools and was a high school graduate.

Mr. Marote was a bus driver and dispatcher at SERTA for 21 years; he worked as a bus driver for the New Bedford public schools for the past 10 years. He was also a police officer for the Town of Acushnet.

He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed watching TV.

Survivors include his widow; his father and step-mother; a brother, Wayne Marote of Dartmouth and his wife, Claire Marote; a niece, Shoshanah Marote of New York; two nephews, Jay Marote of Virginia and Wayne Marote Jr. of Rhode Island; and four godchildren.

His funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Church, Fairhaven.

Arrangements are by the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd.

Maria Souza, 90

NEW BEDFORD -- Maria (Bovin) Souza, 90, of Fairhaven, died Sunday, Sept. 19, 1999, at St. Luke's Hospital after a long illness. She was the widow of Manuel R. Souza.

Born in Adams, the daughter of the late Edward and Maria (Gregoire) Bovin, she lived in Fairhaven for more than 70 years. She was a parishioner of St. Mary Church.

Mrs. Souza was a stitcher at the Winfield Company and the Sol Mutterperl Co.

Her love lived with her family.

Survivors include four sons, Edward Souza of Santa Rosa, Calif., Manuel Souza of New Bedford, Arthur Souza of Acushnet and Robert Souza of Fairhaven; two daughters, Elaine Morris and Dorothy Gendron, both of Fairhaven; two sisters, Delia Brazil of Fairhaven and Pearl Brown of Gill; 23 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Souza was the grandmother of the late Robin Lee Souza.

Her funeral Mass will be at 9 a.m. Thursday in St. Mary Church, Fairhaven.

Arrangements are by the Fairhaven Funeral Home, 117 Main St., Fairhaven.