Person of the Year 2026

---

Bruce Oliveira was the eldest of five children, born to Joseph Oliveira, a UAW factory worker at Continental Screw Co. and Eileen (Doyle) Oliveira, a stay-at-home mom who walked her children to school and little league, because she never had a license. 

As a child, Bruce played little league baseball. At the ripe old age of 19, he became a coach for the very same team coaching his little brother Phil. He coached both of his children in their baseball/softball careers, while attending night school, and continued to coach for 32 years. His reach influenced hundreds of children, where his patience and guidance shined through. He 

especially loved it when he encountered one of his players throughout the years. He would always be "Coach." 

Bruce lived in the Brickenwood Housing Project during his formative years. It provided stability for his large family. Years later, Bruce would be appointed to the Housing Authority as a Commissioner providing stable homes for other New Bedford families, seniors and veterans. He stood as one of the longest serving commissioners over 30 years. Bruce always preached, 

"Never be ashamed of where you came from." He rose from it and shared those experiences with others. Bruce was a product of New Bedford public schools and proud Whaler Class 

of 1971. Following the 3rd grade, he was fortunate to be a part of a new accelerated learning program, and was sent to schools outside his district, where his classmates were children of bankers, doctors and lawyers. It impacted him in many ways and the stark difference in background was not lost on Bruce. He became a lifelong learner and completed his education as an adult, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Business at UMass Dartmouth, attending classes nights for seven years, as a working parent. 

Bruce married his high school sweetheart in 1973 and they have two children, Karen and Kevin. Bruce spent his early career as a Union construction electrician working on malls, hospitals and schools. He later became a Business Agent and Benefits Administrator for IBEW Locals 223 and 224. 

After retirement at age 55, he opted to run for a position on the School Committee to help the city's school children attend modern, safe facilities- a role he cherished until the day he died. He owned his own tax and accounting business for many years. His acuity with numbers, combined with his construction background, provided a perspective not seen by many school committee members. His favorite part of his role was the overhauling maintenance of existing buildings and the tedious details needed to build new school buildings in his fair city. Retirement brought his first and only grandchild, Liam James Glover. Every Monday Liam was his priority until he went to school. Bruce cherished time spent with his little buddy. 

Bruce was a member and Past President of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for over 40 years. Alongside his many friends, they have been providing help to the less fortunate in New Bedford. With his best buddy, Fred Toomey, Bruce embarked on the monumental task of saving the Seamen's Bethel and Mariners Home in New Bedford from destruction. Two guys, not from fishing families, combined their construction knowledge to renovate the two buildings, according to historical preservation standards. From fundraising, to combining the buildings to accommodate handicapped visitors, their five-year mission stands at the summit of Johnny Cake Hill as a shining beacon to perseverance. It is their crowning glory. They would love the Herman Melville statue adorning the south lawn of the Bethel. 

Bruce was a longtime member of the Country Club of New Bedford. At 12 years old, he rode his bike up Hathaway Road to caddy at the club. Rubbing elbows with doctors, lawyers, judges, and celebrities alike, Bruce never imagined a kid from the projects would ever be able to join the club. He enjoyed many years of camaraderie and championship golf with many friends, his brother Phil and his son Kevin, even attending the Masters in 2010. 

As a Union electrician from a Union family, Bruce was an active member of the Southeastern Mass. Labor Council for over 40 years, until his illness. He was the Treasurer of the Greater New Bedford Regional Voc-Tech School district for many years, and a recent member of the 13 Stripers Club. 

Bruce was a civil servant in every sense of the word, whose tireless work threaded through almost every aspect of the fabric of New Bedford. He was a Renaissance man of sorts, whose resume was immense. When Bruce committed to a project or cause, he fully committed. He was a man of his word, ethical, fastidious to a fault, and never accepted excuses. He did what 

was right and stayed for the long haul, for all the right reasons. He had devotion, passion and held only the best intentions. His long record of achievement was not done without putting family first. He never sacrificed family. Service to others came naturally to Bruce. A typical day would be a construction meeting for the new Congdon/DeValles School at 10, head to the School Department to sign warrants, then to Voke to do the same and off to a Housing Authority meeting. Bruce had the uncanny ability to juggle several balls in the air at one time and pivot, without the blink of an eye. This describes Bruce to a “T”. Rest in Peace.