Edmund F. Tavares, 88
Edmund F. Tavares, 88, of Dartmouth passed away December 1, 2025 at Charlton Memorial Hospital.
He was the husband of the late Carol A. (McKay) Tavares.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late Frank B. and Rita W. (Francis) Tavares, he lived there before settling in Dartmouth in 1968.
Ed was a lifelong educator, starting his career at Normandin Junior High School. He would go on to serve as the director of the NDEA Program and Principal of the Thompson Street School, where he oversaw the English as a Second Language Program. In 1969 he joined the Dartmouth Public Schools, spending nearly three decades at the Joseph DeMello School as Assistant Principal and Principal where he was affectionately known as "Mr. T.". During his years in Dartmouth, he also served as Evening School Director and an assistant coach of the Dartmouth High School hockey team. Ed found joy in connecting with former students, eager to hear where life had taken them, and proud to share their accomplishments with others.
He was a graduate of New Bedford High School and held degrees in Education from Bridgewater State College and Boston University, with a keen interest in reading skills and school administration.
Ed enjoyed the time he spent with his wife, Carol, including their drives to Horseneck Beach and their stops for ice cream at Dairy Maid. He also valued traveling with his family, making memories across many trips over the years. He enjoyed a good breakfast at Willow Tree, where he could often be found in the morning.
Ed had a passion for building community. He spent more than 20 years as co-chairman of the Sister City Delegation Committee, helping build relationships with towns in Portugal, throughout Sao Miguel, Azores, as well as Dartmouth, Devon England. He also enjoyed volunteering at St. Vincent dePaul Society at St. Julie Billiart Church.
Survivors include his 3 sons, Kevin F. and his wife Monica of Mattapoisett, Shaun M. and his wife Janine of Dartmouth, and Curtis C. and his wife Dale of Scottsdale, AZ. He was the cherished grandfather of Alicia Tavares O'Toole and her husband Mark of Lowell, Noah Tavares and his fiancee Julia Smith of Fairhaven, Keira Tavares of Dartmouth, Callie Tavares of Mattapoisett, and Abby Tavares of Scottsdale, AZ.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 18th at 10 AM in Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. His family will receive guests on Thursday morning from 9-10 AM at church prior to his Mass. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church 121 Mt. Pleasant St. New Bedford, MA 02740. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
