Manuel J. "Butch" Coelho, 59, of Ruther Glen, Virginia died Sunday November 12, 2006 at Mary Washington Hospital after a long illness.

Born in Acushnet and raised in New Bedford, the son of Mariana (Reis) Nunes of New Bedford and the late Jose Coelho, he lived in Virginia for the past 20 years.

Survivors include his mother; his devoted friend, Juanita Bates of Virginia; a son, Andrew Coelho, and his wife Michelle, of Ruther Glen; a brother, Joseph Coelho of New Bedford; three sisters, Loraine Coelho, Kathleen McDaniel and Donna Braga, all of New Bedford; a granddaughter, Julia Coelho; and nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and an uncle.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 12 Noon in Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday 6-9 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.