Rev. Luciano Joaquim de Medeiros Pereira, 88 of Dartmouth, passed away peacefully on July 25 at home surrounded by his family. Born in Capelas, São Miguel, Açores, he was the son of the late Antonio Joaquim Pereira and Palmira Botelho M. Pereira. 

He attended Parochial School in the Village of Capelas. At age 12, Fr. Pereira entered the Seminary of Angra do Heroismo on the island of Terceira. He was ordained at the Cathedral of Angra on May 30, 1954. Shortly thereafter, he immigrated to the U.S. to serve the needs of the Portuguese-American Community. 

Fr. Pereira was then assigned to Our Lady of Angels Church in Fall River. From there he was assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in New Bedford, where he remained for 11 years. Fr. Pereira was then assigned to St. Michael’s Church in Fall River.

In 1975, he became the Pastor of Our Lady of Health Church in Fall River for 9 months. In May, 1976, he was named Pastor of Espirito Santo Church in F.R. In 1979, Fr. Pereira was assigned to St. John the Baptist Church in New Bedford, the first Portuguese Church in the U.S.

On July 3, 1985, Fr. Pereira was assigned back to St. Michael’s Church as Pastor. Among his many accomplishments, Fr. Pereira reorganized the Holy Ghost Society and reinstated the Holy Name Society and the Holy Rosary Society. 

Besides his dedication to the priesthood, Fr. Pereira was very involved in the Portuguese Community. He was the founder of P.Y.C.O. (1970), Ateneu Luso Americano (1971), and the E.S.L. Program (1972). 

He is survived by cousins and many Godchildren. 

For condolences please visit www.rogersfuneral.com.