Manuel J. “Poochie” Dias, 73, of West Wareham, died Friday, Jan. 11,  in the Sippican Health Care Center, Marion. He was the husband of Joan A. (Beaton) Dias and the son of the late Manuel L. and Mary (Jackson) Dias.

He was born in New Bedford and lived in Onset and Wareham all of his life. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1962.

Mr. Dias worked as a supervisor for Mass Highway for many years before retiring.

He enjoyed fishing and was a member of the Retired State County and Municipal Employees Association.

Survivors include his widow, Joan A. (Beaton) Dias; 3 sons, Michael S. Mattos of Wareham, Jeffrey J. Dias of Onset, and Manuel J. “Jay” Dias, Jr. of Wareham; a stepson, Lawrence F. Carew of Carver; 2 step-daughters, Bridget B. Joaquin of Onset and Heather Brennan-Gaisford of Westport; his brother, Charles Dias of Onset; 6 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; many nephews and nieces. His daughter, Dawn Andrews, died in 2005.

The family would like to express its gratitude to the staff at Sippican Health Care Center for their outstanding and loving care that was provided.

His funeral will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church, 82 High St., Wareham. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.

Visiting hours are from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Donations in his memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston MA 02284. For directions and online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.