John Teixeira Obituary

John Patrick Teixeira NORFOLK - Chief Quartermaster John Patrick "Tex" Teixeira, 86, U.S. Navy retiree and World War II veteran, passed away Aug. 14, 2008, after a long illness. He was born in New Bedford, Mass., and was the son of the late John and Capitolina Teixeira. Chief Teixeira "Tex" retired from the U.S. Navy after 22 years of service. He served in World War II and the Korean conflict. While serving in the Navy, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V," the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 10 stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation ribbon, the Philippine Defense Medal and the Submarine Combat Insignia with nine stars, the Good Conduct Medal with four stars and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal. As a young quartermaster, he was selected to be on the original crew of the first nuclear powered submarine, SSN-571 Nautilus, commissioned in 1955. Before the Nautilus, he served on the following diesel submarines: USS Tang, USS Triton, USS Thresher, USS Pelias, USS Tambor, USS Tinosa, USS Tarpon, USS Spikefish, USS Atule, USS Kingfish and USS Carp. His shore career included NROTC instructor at the University of Notre Dame and he was attached to the COMSUBLANT Staff in Norfolk. After retirement from the Navy, he was employed by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. Tex was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church for 35 years, a life member of Submarine Veterans of World War II and life member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 60, Ocean View. He served as East Coast Regional president from 1986-1987. Tex was honored with secretary emeritus in the Fleet Reserve Association after 19 years as branch secretary. He served all branch offices with honor. Tex leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Veronica French Teixeira; two daughters, Sally Spollen of Norfolk and Jackie Bittle of Suffolk; three grandchildren, Susan Bittle Patel and her husband Chiraag of Edison, N.J., Sean Spollen of Annandale, Va., and Casey Spollen of Norfolk; a great-granddaughter, Kiran Patel; and stepson, Robert Osterloh and his wife Christy of Richmond, Va. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Capitolina Teixeira; sister, Azalea; and brother, Edmund Teixeira, all formerly of Taunton, Mass. He leaves behind his sister, Lydia Teixeira Phillipe of North Dighton, Mass., as well as many nieces and nephews in New England and Washington, D.C. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 154 W. Government Ave., Norfolk, with the Rev. Father Robert E. French officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Following visitation, FRA ritual will be accorded. Final interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at 1 p.m. Oct. 7, 2008. Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach, is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyer.com.

Published by The Virginian-Pilot from Aug. 16 to Aug. 17, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John Teixeira

4 Entries

Suzanne French

August 19, 2008

I miss you Uncle Tex. I will always remember you talking about the BULLFROG and how you used to call me Susan and Susan Suzanne. God you will be missed.
Love you
Suzanne

FELICIA MORRIS

August 18, 2008

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived
okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here
is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you
every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up
and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were
gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.

There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for
me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's
chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life
on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not
be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But
one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a
time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will
give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day
was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the
way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick
him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in
your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember
you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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