Anthony C. Barboza “Tony”, age 77 years, of Plymouth, died Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Beth Israel – Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth. He was the husband of Denise (Cabral) Barboza, and the son of the late Joseph and Palmeda (Camille) Barboza. Born in New Bedford on July 29, 1945, he was a United States highly decorated Marine veteran, retiring in 1987, as Master Gunnery Sergeant after years of faithful service to his country. He served in Vietnam and managed to survive after being shot down in a helicopter and had to tread water for hours before being rescued. Later, he worked as a bus driver and custodian for the Plymouth School Department. He was known for his contagious laugh, loving heart, and ability to warm any room he entered bringing joy and laughter. He loved playing and watching sports and was known to be a tough competitor in pool and golf tournaments. He enjoyed playing golf on the beautiful courses in Hawaii while stationed on the island of Oahu for 10 years. He won many golf tournaments during his time. Once relocating to Plymouth, he played at Squirrel Run, Waverly Oaks Golf Course, but mostly at Otis Airforce Base in Bourne. He was an avid pool player with an “A” handicap, entering tournaments at the Fan Club in Wareham, Stix and Stones in Abington, Accu Billiards in New Bedford and various other pool halls. Besides his children, one of his proudest accomplishments was playing football for New Bedford High School and later being inducted into the Gridiron Hall of fame. He was known to be hard to beat in any sport he played.
In addition to his wife Denise, Anthony will be sadly missed by his beloved children Toni Lee Goncalves of Brockton, Ryan Barboza, Kyle Barboza of California and Mary Barboza of Plymouth, his grandchildren Javahn Goncalves, Natalie Grace Barboza, Ryan and Renee. He was the brother of Ann Houghton of Florida, and the late Donald and Joseph Barboza.
Services will be held for Mr. Barboza on Friday, December 2, 2022 starting with visitation from 9:00am with his services and prayer beginning promptly at 10:30AM at the CARTMELL-DAVIS LIFE CELEBRATION FUNERAL HOME, 373 Court Street, Plymouth, (next to Cordage Park). Family and friends are then invited to follow the funeral procession to the National Cemetery of Massachusetts on Connery Ave in Bourne for a 12:30PM traditional military memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made out to Cartmell-Davis Funeral Home, to assist the family with funeral expenses. If you cannot attend the service, you can mail donations to the funeral homes address and a copy of the donation will be given to the family.