Thomas F. Tavares, Sr., 87, died Wednesday, Feb. 17 at Sacred Heart Nursing Home in New Bedford. He was the husband of the late Diminga (Perry) Tavares.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Joseph & Eva (Souza) Tavares. Mr. Tavares worked as a construction foreman for many years. He enjoyed fishing, Creole music, dancing and horseshoes.

He is survived by two sons, Thomas F. Tavares, Jr., of Wareham, and Steven P. Tavares, of East Wareham; three daughters, Terry Tavares, of New Bedford, and Della Silva and Nadine Tavares, both of Wareham; two sisters, Angela Pires and Beatrice Tabor, both of Wareham; his brother, Anthony Lopes, of Wareham; his sister in-law, Beatrice Tavares; 16 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter, the late Donna Tavares and his brother the late Joseph Tavares.

His funeral will be from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, High St., Wareham at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wareham. Visiting hours will be Sunday from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com