Robert Edward Gonsalves, 76, died Monday, April 11, 2011 at Tobey Hospital in Wareham after a long illness. He was the husband of Elaine P. (Coggeshall) Gonsalves.

Born in Wareham, Mr. Gonsalves was the son of the late Edward & Victoria (Tobey) Gonsalves. He served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at the submarine base in New London, CT. After his Navy service, Mr. Gonsalves lived in Connecticut briefly before returning to Wareham.

Mr. Gonsalves was a former member of the Improved Order of Red Men in Wareham and was also a Golden Elder of the Mashpee Wompanoag Tribe.

He loved fishing, family and friends.

Survivors include his wife Elaine; his children, Robert E. Gonsalves, Jr. of New London, CT, Ricardo K. Gonsalves of New Haven, CT, Victoria A. Gonsalves of Jacksonville, NC, Lauriann Pires of Broken Arrow, OK, Peter A. Gonsalves of Plainville, CT, Linda Silva of Allison, PA, Edward Bryant of Birmingham, AL, David Butler of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Elizabeth N. Gonsalves of Conover, NC; his step-children, Jaymi A. Coggeshall of Halifax and Lee F. Coggeshall of Worcester; his sisters, Lucille Grace of Palm Bay, FL and Jeannette Delgado of Deltona, FL. Also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and loving friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. To leave a message of condolence, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.