J. Richard Bancroft

LAKEVILLE - J. Richard "JR" Bancroft, age 73 years of Lakeville, MA died Saturday, November 14, 2009 after a period of failing health, at his home surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Eleanor C. (Chase) Bancroft of 50 years.

Born March 9, 1936 in New Bedford, MA he was the son of the late Arthur D. and Teresa V. (Murray) Bancroft.

Joseph was a 1953 graduate of New Bedford High School and had lived in Lakeville for the past 36 years. He was a Rep for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. for 26 years, for Anderson Cushing Insurance for 17 years and most recently employed by Farrell Backlund Insurance Co.

He was a M.P. Officer for the U.S. Army from 1957 - 1959 and enjoyed being with his family, friends and especially with his grandchildren and was a Communicant of Sts. Martha & Mary Church in Lakeville.

In addition to his wife Eleanor he is survived by four children Joanne Gonsalves of Lakeville, Joseph "Rick" Bancroft, Jr. and his wife Jill of Rye, NH, Kevin A. Bancroft and his wife Kathy of Lakeville and Corinne Renker and her husband David of West Hartford, CT; 12 grandchildren Matthew, Melissa and Heather Gonsalves, Jenna, Jocelyn and Patrick Bancroft, Hannah, Aaron and Bryan Renker, Kasey and Allison Bancroft and Lisa Gerrior and her husband Michael; 2 great-grandchildren Gregory and Austyn Gerrior; three brothers Robert, John and James Bancroft and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Arthur, William, Paul and David Bancroft.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday at 11:00 AM in Sts. Martha & Mary Church, Bedford St., Lakeville, MA. Interment will follow in Sampson Cemetery in Lakeville.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday from 4-8 PM in the Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home, 280 Bedford St. Lakeville, MA.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be given to Haitian Health Foundation, 97 Sherman St. Norwich, CT 06360 of on life at www.haitianhealthfoundation.org.

For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.d-mfh.com.

ARRANGEMENTS ARE BY THE DAHLBORG-MacNEVIN FUNERAL HOME, 280 BEDFORD ST. LAKEVILLE, MA 02347.