George A. Pires

George met his wife Stella Pires in New Bedford before leaving for the Air Force where he served as a radio operator in Japan during the Korean War. A first rate athlete, he tried out for and made the Air Force baseball team. He played in and around Japan during his 4 years of service.

When he returned home, he married his one lifelong love Stella on 09-03-1960. Early in the marriage, he went to New Bedford Institute of Technology (what is now UMass Dartmouth) and earned his Master’s in Education. While there, he again followed his athletic heart and ran track, played baseball (his first love) and played soccer. He was inducted into the SMU Corsairs Hall of Fame along with his 1960 Soccer Team. He worked his entire career teaching the students of New Bedford’s south end.

They moved to Dartmouth where he continued to follow his love of sports, playing golf right up to this fall. Always walking the course, he won two four balls. He also participated in the local softball league where he was one of the older players and was fondly known to this day to many of them as the Cagey Veteran. A lifelong Boston Sports fan and athlete, he enjoyed talking about sports and his rounds of golf to the end.

He is preceded in death by his parents Henrique Laurenco Pires of Lisboa, Portugal and Alice Diamentina Simaria of Fayal, Azores (both immigrated to New Bedford where they met and married) along with his only sister Mary Lima of Sacramento, CA.

In addition to his adoring wife Stella, he leaves behind a close small family including his son George M. Pires and wife Donna (Harrison) Pires, his son Robert C. Pires, and his daughter Lori L. Pires and her life partner David Jacob. Additionally he has 2 grandchildren, Brianna Pires and Leighann Pires along with one great grandchild Noah Pacheco.

As a final note, we want to thank George’s wonderful caregivers throughout his final weeks including many of the nurses and CNAs during his time at St. Luke’s Hospital. We are thankful for Donna Beverly and Carol Rose who assisted in his care at home. In particular, we are grateful for the care and support of Christine and Pat Vinagre who made his final days and moments peaceful. The grace and care they showed will be remembered. Finally, to all his friends and family, know we are forever grateful for the love and compassion you showed in visiting him these past weeks.

His visitation will be Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth. His Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 795 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Flowers are welcome however In lieu of flowers, you may consider donating to the Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana -Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168; www.dana-farber.org or Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401; www.pfd.org.