Anthony "Tony" Viera Jr.

Anthony “Tony” Viera, Jr., 62
Band Leader and Native American

Anthony “Tony” Viera, Jr., 62, of Tremont Street, Rehoboth and former Attleboro resident, died on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at the Caritas St. Elizabeth Medical Center in the Brighton section of Boston, Massachusetts after a period of declining health and since being hospitalized on July 18th. He was the former husband of the late Nancy A. (Parlopiano) Viera who died recently.

Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on May 15, 1947, Mr. Viera was the son of the late Anthony Viera, Sr. and Louise G. (Elderkin) Viera. He was raised and educated in Seekonk and Attleboro. He moved to Rehoboth three years ago from his native community – Attleboro.

Mr. Viera was employed by Waste Management of Cranston, Rhode Island from 1988 until the onset of illness in 2006. Previously he had been employed by Goditt & Boyer, Inc. in Attleboro from 1968 until 1988. He had also been employed as a groundskeeper for the Sun Valley Golf Course in Rehoboth.

He was proud of his Native American heritage and was a member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe.

He had a profound love for music and it was at the center of his universe. He was the founder of “Tony and the Memphis Sounds” that entertained audiences for more than 30 years in the East Providence, Rehoboth and Attleboro areas with country music and traditional gospel sounds.

Mr. Viera was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Seekonk where he enjoyed singing with the church choir.

He enjoyed golf and as an ardent bowler was a former member of a local bowling league.

Mr. Viera leaves a daughter: Wendy Besse and her husband, Glen Besse, of New Bedford; two granddaughters: Jordon Besse and Lauren Besse both of New Bedford; two sisters: Lois Chaffee, wife of the late Almont Chaffee, of Seekonk and Betty A. Lemieux and her husband, Richard Lemieux, of Rehoboth; two brothers: David W. Viera and his wife, Pauline (Lemieux) Viera, of Attleboro and Allen R. Viera and his wife, Cheryl (Hall) Viera, of Rehoboth; his special cousins: Richard Elderkin and Sandra Elderkin of Attleboro; James Markley of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Michael Markley of Seekonk; two generations of nieces and nephews and numerous aunts, uncles, additional cousins, extended family members and dear friends.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM in the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home – the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson House, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.

Those in need of a local ride to visitation may simply call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the Funeral Service on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 10:00 AM in the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home – the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson House, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with the Rev. James Wills, Pastor of the Free Methodist Church, Seekonk, officiating.

Burial will follow in Seekonk Cemetery, Seekonk.

Children’s room available during visitation and the funeral service.

Following cemetery services, family and friends will be invited to unite for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a location to be announced.

Please do not send flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Free Methodist Church, 453 Taunton Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02711.

For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.