Carlos Pacheco, 76, of New Bedford, a well-known community leader and retired New Bedford Fire Marshal died Friday February 21, 2003 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Hazel (Souza) Pacheco.

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Joao and Maria C. (Medeiros) Pacheco, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.

Mr. Pacheco began a long and distinguished career with the New Bedford Fire Department in 1953. He later was promoted to Lieutenant and served in the Fire Prevention Bureau as the Public Relations Officer. He later became the first Fire Marshal for the City of New Bedford, where he served until his retirement after 38 years of service. He was a member, negotiator, and past President of the New Bedford Firefighters Union Local 841. He served as a trustee of the Association of Firefighters of Massachusetts, AFL/CIO. He had also been a member of several other firefighting organizations.

Mr. Pacheco attended Harvard University Graduate School of Business and completed the Trade Union Program in 1967. He also received an Associates Degree in Fire Science from Bristol Community College.

He was associated with numerous civic organizations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the New Bedford High Band Parents Club, the New Bedford Gridiron Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Quitticus Lodge A.F. & A.M., the Sixth Bristol Club, the New Bedford Youth Soccer Association, and the Prince Henry Society. He had served as skipper of the Sea Scouts, Ship 40. He had served on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the New Bedford Credit Union,where he was currently serving as Vice-Chairman. He especially enjoyed serving on the Executive Board of the Moby Dick Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1981the Boy Scouts awarded him the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award that can be achieved by a Boy Scout.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Baldwin. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal with 2 stars, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal. He was a life member of the American-Portuguese War Veterans Association, the Disabled American Veterans, the AMVETS, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Andrews-Dahill Post 1531 and the Whaling City Post 3196.

Active in area politics, he had been a member of the Democratic City Committee since 1963 and had served on the Democratic State Committee. First elected to the New Bedford School Committee in 1974, he was currently serving as the Committee Vice-Chairman. He had been a Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1972.

His grandchildren were the loves of his life. Throughout his years of community service, he always wanted to help people and expected nothing in return. He enjoyed spending time with his family at PALIMO.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Judith Pacheco-Young and her husband Steven E. Young, of New Bedford; 3 brothers, Gilbert Pacheco, Jesse Pacheco, and Arthur "Chief" Pacheco, all of New Bedford; 3 sisters, Dorothy Ferro and Norma Ferro, both of Dartmouth, and Theresa Pereira of Fairhaven; 2 granddaughters, Jesseca O. Young and Megan A. Young; and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late John Pacheco, Manuel "Sam" Pacheco, Joseph Pacheco, and Constance "Connie" Motta.

Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordTuesday February 25, 2003 at 8 AM.Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mount Pleasant St., New Bedford at 9 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Monday February 24, 2003 from 3-7 PM. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Carlos Pacheco Scholarship Fund, c/o New Bedford Credit Union, 1150 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740.