John Abreau, husband of Hazel (Gomes) Abreau, died peacefully at his Taunton home on April 12, 2011. He was 95. Born, raised, and educated in Taunton, he was the son of the late George and Candida (Mendes) Abreau. A U.S. Army Veteran of WW II, he served with the 255th Infantry, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, and receiving the Bronze Star Medal. Mr. Abreau was the president of Abreau Oil Service for many years, retiring some time ago. A communicant of St. Anthony Church, he was a member and past president of the Portuguese American Civic Club, and also served as club manager, and on the club's Board of Directors. He was a member of the Taunton Sewer Commission, Appeals Board, and License Commission; and was awarded the Massachusetts State Senate Resolution for his many contributions to the City of Taunton. A Director with the former Taunton Cooperative Bank, Mr. Abreau also served on the Taunton Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors for many years, and was a recipient of the club's Man of the Year award. He was a life member of the Taunton Elks Lodge 150. Besides his wife of Taunton, he leaves a son, John Abreau, Jr. of Taunton; two daughters, Cheryl Haskins of Raynham, and Claudia Lamb of Taunton; a brother, George Abreau of Taunton; a sister, Mary Abreau of Taunton; and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Joseph, Antone and Georgina Abreau. His funeral will be held from the Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, on Monday, April 18th at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at St. Anthony Church at 10 a.m. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Calling Hours will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, April 17th from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Taunton Boys & Girls Club, 31 Court St. Taunton, MA 02780. www.silvafuneralhome.com.

Published in the taunton gazette 4-15-11