Joaquim A. Custodio

Joaquim A. “Jack” Custodio, age 96, of Fairhaven, died Thursday, October 7, 2010 at Sacred Heart Home in New Bedford. He was the husband of Louise A. (Lopes) Custodio to whom he had been married to for 72 years.

Born in New Bedford, a son of the late Antone and Beatrice (Silva) Custodio of Mindelo, St. Vincent in the Republic of Cabo Verde. He lived in New Bedford until 1949 and has resided in Fairhaven since then.

Mr. Custodio was a graduate of New Bedford High School, but enjoyed saying that he was an honorary PhD Graduate of Hard Knox University. Over the years, Jack received many honors and personal recognition on state and local levels.

Mr. Custodio was well known as an active supporter of human rights. For many years he hosted a talk radio program on WBSM and a local cable television show “Custodio’s Chronicle”. He also was a frequent editorial columnist and contributor to the New Bedford Standard Times. For most of his life, he was a manager and supervisor in local manufacturing industries. After retirement, he worked as a teacher’s aide at Carney Academy and Roosevelt Junior High School in New Bedford.

Mr. Custodio was a former member of the New Bedford NAACP, Minority Action Coalition and the Fairhaven Varsity Athletic Club.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two daughters, Mrs. John (Beatrice) Harden of New Bedford and Mrs. Russell (Jacqualine) Custodio-Whyte of Palm Coast, Florida; two grandsons, Ronald Norman and his wife Carmen of New Bedford and Stephen Whyte of Atlanta, Georgia; three great-grandchildren, twins Nicholas and Ariana Norman and Elijah Whyte; a step granddaughter, Susan Saunders; and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Leanora A. Custodio and the brother of the late Cacilio Custodio, Albert Britto and Mary Perry.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Home Annual Appeal, 359 Summer St., New Bedford, MA 02740. Private funeral services are in the care of Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Fairlawn, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven. For online tributes: www.fairlawnmortuary.com