Obituary of Manuel J. Bettencourt

Manuel J. Bettencourt, 81, husband of Alzira (Lopes) Bettencourt of Peabody, died after a brief illness on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at the Kindred Hospital in Peabody with his family at his side. Mr. Bettencourt was born on August 8, 1926, in Peabody, son of the late John C. and Maria (Bettencourt) Bettencourt. He was raised and educated in Peabody and was a lifelong resident of the city. During WW II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the MD 14th Construction Regiment and saw battle in Central Europe before being honorably discharged in 1946. Mr. Bettencourt began his working career at A.C. Lawrence Leather Co., in Peabody. He then became employed as a machinist at the G.E. West Lynn Plant where he remained for 23 years until his retirement in 1986. His family was first and foremost and then his grandchildren and great grandchildren became the love of his life. He will be well remembered by many as the coach for the Peabody Little League and Babe Ruth Teams. As an avid bowler he played on the Friscoe and City league for years. He was an avid sportsman who also enjoyed playing cards. He was an active member of the CLC, the Portuguese American War Veterans Post 1 and the VFW Fidelity Post 1011 all in Peabody. In addition to his wife with whom he shared 58 years of marriage, he is survived by his 8 children and their spouses, Manuel J. Bettencourt Jr. and Kathleen Bettencourt, Edward A. and Barbara Bettencourt, Daniel A. and Donna Bettencourt, Thomas A. and Patty Bettencourt, Robert J. and Jennifer Bettencourt, Lisa M. and Larry Leavitt all of Peabody, David A. and Sandra Bettencourt of Salem NH, John J. and Jenni Bettencourt of Stoneham; a brother and his wife, Eugene and Marguerite Bettencourt of Beverly; 21 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His siblings, Margaret, John and Herman Bettencourt predeceased him. His funeral will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. (new facility) Peabody followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 50 Walsh Ave., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Friday 4 to 8 p.m. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc. 330 Congress St., 5th Fl., Boston, MA 02110 or Seem Collaborative North School, 175 Collincote St., Stoneham MA 02180 or Children’s Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston MA 02115.