PRINCE HENRY SOCIETY TO HOLD PORTUGUESE-AMERICAN OF THE YEAR RECOGNITION BANQUET AT THE CENTURY HOUSE

PRINCE HENRY SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS

New Bedford Chapter

P.O. Box 6726 – New Bedford, MA 02742

The Prince Henry Society of Massachusetts’ three chapters – New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton – will join together to host their annual banquet with the New Bedford chapter, honoring the recipients of the Portuguese-American of the Year award.

Recipients are honored for their commitment to their respective communities and the society’s mission of community service and dedication to Portuguese heritage. The banquet will be held Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at 6 p.m., at the Century House in Acushnet. Tickets are $45. For tickets or more information, contact William Viveiros at 774-271-0541.

For the New Bedford chapter, this year’s honoree is Michael B. Tavares. Mr. Tavares is the CEO of Horacio’s, Inc., a full-service metal fabrication company servicing clients nationwide, founded by his father, Horacio Tavares, in 1980. Michael Tavares took over the family business from his father in 2007, and the company has continued to grow and add jobs to the region under his leadership. Mr. Tavares is involved with several community organizations, and is a past President of the Prince Henry Society’s New Bedford chapter. He sits on the executive board of the Greater New Bedford Industrial Foundation, and is an executive committee member of the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, as well as a trustee of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center. Mr. Tavares is one of the founders of the Viva Portugal festival, which will celebrate its third annual event recognizing Portuguese heritage and culture in New Bedford. He lives in Freetown with his wife Claudia, daughter Laura, and son Logan. A graduate of Northeastern University, Mr. Tavares holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a M.S. in manufacturing engineering from that institution.

For Fall River’s chapter, the Society will honor Helen Soares, a longtime member of the Fall River chapter. A retired legal secretary and senior administrative assistant, Ms. Soares parents immigrated to the United States from Pacos da Serra, Portugal. She has been involved in several Portuguese-American community endeavors, including working with Fall River’s Radio Voz do Emigrante program, and receiving the Order of Pilot Class award in 2017 from the Prince Henry Society. A resident of Westport, Ms. Soares is the mother of Jennifer Lazaro and Robert Soares, and the grandmother of Ethan and Noah Lazaro. In her retirement, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and volunteering with various charitable organizations in Greater Fall River.

Taunton’s chapter will honor Karen Harraghy, a longtime public servant. Ms. Harraghy served as an aide to U.S. Rep. Joseph Moakley for 19 years, focusing on immigration issues, and later served U.S. Rep Barney Frank’s office for 10 years. She was appointed to a seven-member gubernatorial commission on the needs of Portuguese-Americans in Massachusetts. Ms. Harraghy currently works on immigration issues with international students at Bridgewater State University, as well as working with local gateway cities. She is a recipient of a Heritage Day Award from the Massachusetts House of Representatives. An alumna of Stonehill College and UMass Boston, she is married to David Harraghy, and they have one son, Patrick.

Mr. Agostinho “Gus” Pinto of the New Bedford chapter will be honored with the Society’s Founders’ Award. A longtime member of the Society, Mr. Pinto immigrated to the United States from Felgueiras, Portugal, and as one of nine children learned early on the importance of family and hard work. He founded his auto body and repair business, Pinto’s Garage, in 1975, still operating today on Church Street in New Bedford. Mr. Pinto has long been involved in many capacities in the Society, serving as State Council President, and receiving the Pilot Award and Portuguese-American of the Year Award. He has served as treasurer of the New Bedford chapter since 2001. He is married to Maria Pinto, and together they share son Gus, daughter-in-law Michele, and grandchildren Landon and Collin.

Mr. Victor P. Santos of the Taunton chapter will be honored with the Society’s Founders’ Award. An immigrant from Sao Roque, Sao Miguel, Mr. Santos immigrated to Fall River in 1969 and is a graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School and Southeastern Massachusetts University, and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is involved in many community organizations in Greater Taunton, including the Taunton Development Corporation, Rotary Club of Taunton, Anawon Council-Boy Scouts of America, and the Prince Henry Society’s Taunton Chapter. Victor became a member of the Prince Henry Society—Taunton Chapter in 1992.  He was past President for the Taunton Chapter and is currently the Treasurer, a title he has maintained for several years.  Victor’s commitment to the Society and its core mission has always been exemplary as has been his passion for the preservation and promotion of the Portuguese culture and history, both in and out of the organization. Victor resides in Taunton with Mary, his wife of 40 years. Victor and Mary have one son and three grandchildren.

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