Avis de décès de Manuel Medeiros

LAKELAND -- Mr. Manuel M. "Pete" Medeiros of Lakeland, an office manager for Florida Gas Co. who was the son of Portuguese immigrants, died Saturday (April 23, 2005) at the Rohr Home of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 83. Born Oct. 13, 1921, in New Bedford, Mass., Mr. Medeiros came here from there in 1941. His parents moved from the Azores, a Portugese island territory in the Atlantic, and settled in New Bedford, which had a prospering Portuguese and whaling community, said his son, Gerald W. Medeiros. "He grew up speaking Portuguese," his son said, but when he left Massachusetts for Florida he retained a faint New England accent. "He had to adapt to different food and culture," his son said. "He adapted well." Mr. Medeiros was a member of a national barbershop quartet organization and performed at The Lakeland Center and Florida Southern College. "He loved to sing. He was also a member of his church choir," his son said. The church, now called Presbyterian Chapel in the Grove, began in a house. Mr. Medeiros was a charter member. He also enjoyed golfing and his grandchildren. "He was good with children, they loved to be around him," his son said. He was an office manager for Florida Gas Co. Mr. Medeiros was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Cleveland Heights Golf and Country Club. Mr. Medeiros is survived by his wife, Thelma M. Medeiros; son, Gerald W. Medeiros, Lakeland; daughter, Donna Medeiros, Lakeland; sister, Mary Messier, New Bedford, Mass.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Presbyterian Chapel in the Grove. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Chapel in the Grove, 1540 New Jersey Road, Lakeland, FL 33803, or the Alzheimer's Association, 9365 U.S. 19, N. Pinellas Park, FL 33782.