Judge Antone S. Aguiar Jr., age 84, of Swansea, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014 in Charlton Memorial Hospital unexpectedly. He was the husband of Gertrud W. (Kienert) Aguiar to whom he has been married for the past 53 years.
Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Antone S. Aguiar Sr. and Angelina (Perry) Aguiar and step-son of the late Guilhermina Aguiar. He grew up locally in the town of Swansea where he excelled both in academics and athletics. A graduate of Joseph Case High School, he was president of his school class, captain of the football team, and a three letter athlete for the baseball, basketball, and football teams. He was one of the first inductees into the Joseph Case High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Upon graduating from Case High School, he went on to Yale University where he played on their varsity baseball team as second baseman. After graduating from Yale University he went on to Georgetown University where he earned his Jurist Doctorate at the School of Law.
He served in the United States Army and later in the Army Reserves reaching the rank of Colonel. He was stationed overseas in Europe which afforded him the experience to travel the European country side and provided him the opportunity to meet his wife. A player and coach on the Army baseball team, he was also the Commander of the 3rd JAG Military Law Center in Boston. During his time in the service he was the recipient of many medals and ribbons.
The Judge started his own private Law Practice specializing in criminal law. He then started his political career as a Swansea Town Selectman for nine years and a State Representative for eighteen years. The Honorable Governor Edward King appointed him to the District Court Bench in 1982. He served in the Attleboro Court System until he took over for the Honorable Judge John O’Neil, as First Justice of the Fall River Court until his retirement. After retirement he became an Adjunct professor at Anna Maria College.
He received endless awards, accolades, and citations for his achievements, some included the Town of Swansea Citizen of the Year and was actually awarded the key to the Town, the Swansea Lions Club “Lion” of the year award and the Melvin Jones Award, the Distinguished Services Award from the Massachusetts Secondary School Athletic Directors Association, the Legislative Portuguese Heritage Award, and the St. Thomas Moore Medal which is given annually to a distinguished attorney or jurist. He received some of the highest honors one can achieve such as the Eagle Scout and Silver Beaver from the Boy Scouts of America.
A community service volunteer Judge Aguiar could be found at Joseph Case High School holding the first down yard marker at a football game, working the concessions stand, securing the necessary funding for school equipment, providing scholarships to their students, and even coaching his granddaughters championship little league softball teams.
He will be best remembered for his love for God, love for his family, love for his country, and love for his fellow man.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children; Christopher Aguiar and his wife Karen of Swansea, Stephanie Aguiar of Huntington Beach, CA, Elizabeth Apirian and her husband Gregg of Manhattan Beach, CA, two sisters; Mary Nunes of Swansea, Elsie McCrosky of KS, four grandchildren; Rachel and Sarah Aguiar, Skylar and Summer Apirian, and many nieces and nephews. He was brother of the late George and William Aguiar.
His Funeral will be held Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 9:00AM in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 530 Gardner’s Neck Rd., Swansea. Visiting hours Friday from 4:00 to 8:00PM in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE at BIRCHCREST, 189 Gardner’s Neck Rd., Swansea. Contributions in his honor may be made to the Joseph Case High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. 33, Swansea, MA 02777. Burial private.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18