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The New Bedford community learned on Friday of the passing of one its giants.
School Committee member Bruce J. Oliveira unexpectedly passed away from a medical emergency. He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife, Pam.
Until the day he passed, Oliveira was a ubiquitous presence in the city’s cultural, political, and charitable scenes. He participated in a School Committee meeting just this week, oversaw another school construction meeting, and was serving as a Housing Authority board member.
Whether building schools or reaching out to neighbors, his hands were always working to lift up the community that had raised him. On Thursday, the day before he passed, Oliveira was delivering Thanksgiving turkeys.
The news of Oliveira’s passing echoed throughout the state. The Massachusetts Association of School Committees, which had previously honored him with an “All-State” designation during his 13 years of committee service, held a moment of silence during a Friday gathering of all School Committee members statewide. The organization was one of many who commemorated Oliveira and the progress he oversaw on behalf of the city he loved.
Mayor Jon Mitchell wrote a letter that he posted on social media, to hundreds of comments and shares.
“In an age when public and even personal trust has withered, people trusted and believed in Bruce. That is perhaps why it is no exaggeration to say that Bruce had more friends than anyone in the City — which is a testament to the richness of his life,” Mitchell wrote.
Superintendent Andrew O’Leary, who worked alongside Oliveira as the district’s former financial manager and as its chief officer, wrote: “His impact cannot be captured in words, nor did it have to be. Bruce’s impact was made in person, daily and weekly across his entire life.”
O’Leary continued, “Whatever progress we have made, whatever achievements and joy we have seen in our school system over the past decade, one can find Bruce Oliveira there — guiding, behind the scenes and out front for others when it mattered.”
As the chair of both the School Committee’s finance and facilities committees, Oliveira was instrumental in the plan to rebuild the city’s schools. Within the next 10 years, thousands of New Bedford children will find themselves in new classrooms, lunchrooms, and athletic fields, in no small part thanks to his efforts.
Though Oliveira was involved in dozens of community organizations, including the New Bedford Port Society, Greater New Bedford Little League, Whaling City Youth Baseball League, Bay State Girls Softball League, the Seaman’s Bethel, the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, and undoubtedly others, there was always a special place in his heart for New Bedford High school, its students, its athletes, and its musicians (especially the band).
In a quote from 2019, shared by the district, Oliveira said: “My wife Pamela, my daughter Karen, my son Kevin (KO) and myself are all products and beneficiaries of the New Bedford public schools. We represent the New Bedford High School graduating classes of 1972, 2000, 2005 and 1971, respectively. I think my history shows that I have tried to give back to the community in which I have lived the greatest majority of my life. I am proud to be a resident of New Bedford.”
Oliveira was a graduate of Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth), and spent most of his career as a health insurance administrator for the IBEW Local 223 Benefits fund, where he ensured the smooth delivery of benefits to union workers and their families.
Later this month, he was slated to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Bedford, according to Mayor Mitchell.
In recent years, Oliveira had been diagnosed with cancer and undergone rounds of treatment. He never faltered from his commitments to the city.
Mayor Mitchell announced that the city’s flags will be flown at half staff in his honor.
Email Colin Hogan at chogan@newbedfordlight.org
When I worked in the mailroom in PRAB, Mr. Oliveira was on the school committee for many years. All my dealings with producing information (copying) was a appreciated. He was a very positive fixture on the school committee back in the day!
Mr. Oliveira thank you for your service to our city, sending prayers of support and heartfelt condolences to the Oliveira family and his friends, may he rest in peace always.
One of the so very few good politicians in New Bedford.