John Duarte

John Duarte, age 88, of Acushnet, MA, peacefully passed away on August 15, 2025 at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was the husband of the late Dolores Duarte to whom he was married to for 71 years. He was born on September 10, 1936 in Fairhaven, Massachusetts to the late John and Mary (Calassa) Duarte.

He was the owner/operator of the former J.D. Auto Body Shop for over 40 years. After retiring he worked as a truck driver for Sid Wainer Fruit Company and then Star Oil Company. In his younger days he was an avid bowler at the former Wonder Bowl in New Bedford. He was a skilled wood worker and loved spending time in his garage making things for the people he loved. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, ATV and snowmobile riding in Maine where he made so many memories with his family.

He was a man of few words but he loved his family and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for them. He taught us many life lessons that we will cherish. He was a strong and proud man who tried to lead by example and found pleasure in the simple things in life like tending his garden and sitting outside in the quiet just watching the world.

John is survived by his sisters Gertrude August and Joan Peterson; his children, Mary Sturgeon wife of Steven Sturgeon, Dolores Mello wife of Stephen Mello, Constance Duarte, Judith Duarte, Debra Nickless wife of John Nickless, John Duarte Jr. husband of Heather Duarte, Trudy Coito; his grandchildren Steven Sturgeon Jr., Zachary Sturgeon, Lindsey Markey, Lisa Watlington, Stephen Mello Jr., Sonya Gibau, Ashley Duarte, Christopher Silveira, Donald Williams Jr., John Duarte III, Hunter Duarte, Luke Duarte, Tucker Duarte, Christina Alexander, Joseph Coito II, Rebecca Romlad and their spouses; Twenty four great grandchildren, his dear friend Alfred Cunha III, several nieces and nephews and his six cats. He is predeceased by his sister Philomena Gregorian, his brother Philip Duarte, his daughter Gertrude Duarte, his grandson Timothy Duarte and his sister in laws Irene Poirier and Alice Rodgers.

John will be deeply missed by his special granddaughter/goddaughter, Lindsey Markey and her children with whom he shared a special bond.

John's Visiting hours will be held at Perry Funeral Home on Wednesday, August, 20, 2025 from 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. with a service to take place at 11:00 A.M. A burial will immediately follow in Acushnet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local animal shelter.