Obituary: Frederico Pacheco, 79, Civic Leader

Frederico “Fred” M. Pacheco, 79, community leader and business man in Bristol for over 40 years, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on December 23rd surrounded by his family and close friends. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Deodete Raimundo Pacheco, daughter Angela Pacheco Cabral, son Paulo Alexandre Pacheco, MD; four grandchildren Sara Elisabeth Cabral (23), Sofia Elena Cabral (17), Isabel Sofia Brennan-Pacheco (9) and Nicolas Alexandre Brennan-Pacheco (4). His adored son-in-laws, Arthur J. Cabral, JD, and Paul Brennan, Esq. His sister Adriana Cleary from Swansea and his deceased sister Manuela Gullage. He had several nieces and nephews, Patricia Parker, Patrick Cleary, Kathleen Haynes, Philip Viveiros, Kathleen Viveiros, MD, Jeanette Morin, Richard Gullage, Joseph Gullage, Robert Gullage (deceased).

He was born in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal in 1935, the son of the late Maria Encarnacao Moniz and Manuel DaPonte Pacheco. He served in the army and later worked for the US Air Force at Lages Air Force Base in Terceira. He was the first Portuguese to teach the English language on Portuguese radio in the late 60’s. He opened a successful insurance agency during his early years in Bristol and later a popular travel agency, Bristol County Travel. He was known for his vivacity and love for travel. He visited 107 countries, a record few have challenged. One of his greatest joys was the completion of his book “Citizen of the World: My Memoirs”, stories and a written history of his life and immigration to the U.S. He cites as his greatest accomplishments his wonderful marriage to his wife, the birth of his two children and four grandchildren.

Fred was a well-known figure in Bristol civic life. He was Chief Marshal of the Bristol 4th of July parade, President Bristol Rotary Club, Chairman Bristol County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors Ocean State Development Authority, Roger Williams University Advisory Board, Bristol Schools Advisory Board, Chairman Kaiser Complex Revitalization Committee, President Kaiser Neighbor’s Committee, President Town of Bristol Local Development Corp, President Academy of Bacalhao, President World Wide Travel Agents’ Association, Founder and Vice President Association of Professional Travel Agents. He spearheaded a group to create a monument honoring the late Manuel L. daSilva, MD. Among his contributions to Bristol was the revitalization of the Kaiser complex allowing for the creation of Franklin Court. He participated in numerous radio and television programs including panel speaker on a weekly radio show, “Voz do Imigrante” (Voice of the Immigrant).

Service awards include: Portuguese American Federation, Gold Medal of Merit for Distinguished Service to the Portuguese community from the Portuguese government, Immigrant of the Year, Citizen of the Year-Bristol County Chamber, Family of the Year- Portuguese Continental Union, Paul Harris Fellow Award-Rotary International, Man of the Year-Bristol Sports Club. Numerous official proclamations and awards from: American Heart Association, Leukemia Society, RI State Senate and House of Representatives, Bristol County Chamber of Commerce, Town of Bristol, St. Elizabeth Church, King Philip Little League, Knights of Corte Reais, Don Luiz Felipe Beneficial Organization, Santo Christo Club. He received Superior Service and Outstanding Service awards from the U.S. Air force.

Visitation will be at Smith Funeral Home in Warren, RI, Sunday, December 28th from 2-5 pm. Funeral will be held at 9:30 am Monday, December 29th, followed by a mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at St. Elizabeth Church in Bristol, RI. Donations to “Bristol Rotary Charities Foundation” (501c3) in his memory can be sent to: P.O. Box 469, Bristol, RI, 02809.