Antonio Pereira

" Antonio “Tony” Pereira, 71, of Temple St, died Thursday at Mary Lane Hospital, Ware. Born in Barrio, Portugal, Sept. 15, 1931, he came to this country in 1948. He lived in Ludlow before moving to Palmer in 1959. Tony was very proud of his heritage , and also of his becoming a US citizen in 1960. He loved traveling to his native country, visiting with family and friends. He worked as a fork lift operator for 38 years for Monsanto Chemical Corp. before his retirement in 1992. He was also a communicant of St Anne’s Church in Three Rivers. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, the former Doris Page, 2 sons, David and his wife Brenda of Ware, and Anthony of Chicopee, as well as his daughter Sandra and her husband Joe Congelos of Warren. He also leaves a granddaughter Paige Pereira, and 2 grandsons, Colin and Christian Congelos, and soon to be Nathan Pereira. He also leaves Helena Macrino Stephens of Palmer, who he considered to be his second daughter, as he introduced her to a new life in America many years ago. Tony is also survived by a sister Angelina Carreira and a brother Jose Pereira both of Chicopee, along with many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Monday at 9:00 a.m. from the Beers & Story Palmer funeral Home followed by a mass at 10:00 in St. Anne’s Church. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday from 2:00—5:00 p.m."