On Friday May 4, Richard Pereira, Sr.,known as ‘Pup’ to his family, passed away peacefully at his home after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
He was born in 1935 to the late Alfred and Ethel Pereira. His birthplace may have been Weymouth, but Provincetown was always his home. His family moved here when he was just a young boy. It was his Tremont Street childhood friend, Carolyn Patrick, who became his wife in 1956. They had been married for fifty-six years.
Dick proudly served in the United States Coast Guard in Iwo Jima. After his discharge he moved his small family to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he lived for 10 years working as a marine mechanic manager. But, Cape Cod was where he truly wanted to be.
Back in town, with his slightly larger family, Dick worked as a marine mechanic and then as a “Jack of All Trades” for many years at Treasures and Trash along side his father-in-law, Joseph C. Patrick. He then went on to operate Dick’s Lower Cape Gulf in North Truro and later Dick’s Gulf in Provincetown.
When illness forced him to retire, with determination and passion he found other hobbies to keep himself busy. His garage became a workshop filled with creativity. Birdhouses became his therapy during his final years, as anyone who drove by his Nelson Avenue “sales” table would know.
In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by his children; Kim and her husband Mark of Cummaquid, Dicky of Centerville, and Dodie, his devoted caretaker, and her partner John Henderson of Provincetown; 5 grandchildren Melissa, Krista, Justin, Kurt, and Kortney; 2 great-grandchildren Ava and Dylan; and a sister Donna Avallone in North Carolina.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful and compassionate people who have helped us through the years to achieve Pup’s dream of being able to live out his life at home surrounded by family and love. We will always be truly grateful for each of you.
It was Dick’s wishes that there be no service and the burial will be private. Donations may be made in his name to the Provincetown Rescue Squad, PO Box 109, Provincetown, MA 02657 or VNA Hospice, 434 Rte. 134 Suite D-3 South Dennis, MA 02660.
View Full Information → Richard D. Pereira, Sr. 5/4/2012 Provincetown, MA