Virgilio Medeiros, 89, of Fall River, passed away on March 22, 2009 after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Hilda (Pimental) Medeiros. Born in Agua Retorta, St. Michael, Azores, son of the late Jose Carreiro and Maria (Medeiros) Leonardo. Before coming to Fall River in 1959, he served two years in the Portuguese Army during WWII. Virgilio worked in construction, spent many years at Taunton Silversmith, belonged to St. Anthony of Padua's Holy Name Society and was known for his talent of singing "dezafio". Survivors include sons, Joseph Medeiros of Somerset, Virgilio Medeiros, Jr. of Fall River and Nuno Medeiros of Somerset; a daughter, Filomena "Phoebe" McCann of Swansea; 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was also father of the late Adelino Medeiros; grandfather of the late Grace Medeiros; and brother of the late Manuel Leonardo, Maria Tabicas, Gloria Amaral, Conceicao Pereira, Diamantina Bonanca, Barbara Cabral, Zulmira Leonardo, Jose Leonardo and Luiz Leonardo. His funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Anthony of Padua Church. Pallbearers Gary Chavier, Michael Medeiros, Jose Pereira, Wilfredo Vasquez, Brian Costa and Seamus Harreys brought Virgilio to his final resting place at St. Patrick Cemetery.

The following poem was read at at Virgilio's funeral Mass.

Memories

As the minutes, days and years pass us by so rapidly
What we capture in our hearts and memories remain
These timeless remnants mod our being
And empower us to eternalize our passages
And to make them more than a measured instance.

This is a special gift only we posses as human beings
And we should embrace this natural ability by not focusing on time but on the experiences which have made us individuals.

Focus on the sorrows which have made us cry.
The friendship which have given us joy
The loves which have allowed us to learn.
The regrets which have made us stronger.
And the accomplishments which have made us proud.

These everlasting memories within our heart cannot be affected by time but live timelessly in the person which they have made us.