Edmund F. Avila, Jr.

He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia M. (Cabral) Avila.

Father of Marianne Martin and her husband Russell of Ocoee, FL, Steven Avila of Dartmouth, MA, and Laurianne Avila of Winter Garden, FL. Brother of Joyce deSousa of Fairhaven, MA., Sandra Rego of Stuart, Fla., Robin Avila of Lutz, Fla., and the late Robert Avila.

His loved grandchildren, Derek Arruda and his wife Amanda of Kissimmee, FL, Steven Avila Jr and his wife Monique of Acushnet, MA, Todd Arruda and his wife Alicia of Westport, MA, Katie Vicente of Winter Garden FL, Daniel Oliver of Dartmouth, MA, and Kevin Avila of Dartmouth, MA.

As well as 7 Great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Edmund (Sonny), was born in New Bedford and raised in Dartmouth, where he also raised his own family until he began to enjoy his winters in central Florida. He was the son of Georgianna (Carvalho) Avila and Edmund S. (Gramps) Avila.

Sonny was an extremely talented baseball player (Pitcher) who was scouted in high school for the MLB. Instead, he chose to fulfill his family’s legacy in the commercial fishing industry, where he was not only a Captain, but a true leader who rose to every occasion to savor the Giant Bluefin Tuna industry all the way to Washington D.C.

“Worked hard” was an understatement, he worked endlessly.

He built an empire with his intelligence, knowledge, hard work and dedication for his business and his family.

He worked hard and he played hard.

A vacation, a party, a reunion, hunting trips, hunting camps, baseball coaching, as well as his dedication to America, were always larger than life…and truly, unforgettable.

He LOVED the Boston Red Sox and never missed a game.

A legend, a leader, a teacher, a husband, a father, a brother, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and definitely one of the strongest men in the world.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026 from 8:30-9:30 am at the Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth followed by a Funeral Service at 10:00 am at Hope Evangelical Community Church, 88 Hathaway Rd., Dartmouth. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Old Fall River Rd., Dartmouth.