Eldon Francis Moreira passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024 surrounded by his family after a period of failing health shortly before his 94th birthday. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Madeline (Mulcahy) Moreira, and his parents Joseph Moreira and Emma (Silveria) Moreira. Eldon was a lifelong resident of West Bridgewater, a town he loved dearly. He was a 1951 graduate of Howard High School in West Bridgewater where he was co-captain of the football team and often referred to by the nickname of Bing and Binga in his youth.

After graduating from high school, Eldon joined the Navy and served during the Korean Conflict. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he joined his father at Joseph & Sons Barber Shop in Campello where he worked as a barber serving generations of customers for 70 years. Eldon was known to take his barber tools on the road to nursing homes and private residences to service his customers who were no longer able to come to his shop for haircuts due to health issues. He was also a real estate broker for a number of years.

Eldon's passion in life was to serve the residents and employees of his beloved hometown of West Bridgewater. He began his public service on the town's Finance Committee serving from 1973-1981. In 1981, he was elected to his first term as Selectman of West Bridgewater. It was truly the honor of his life to be elected Selectman and ultimately serve in this capacity for a total of 39 consecutive years. Eldon holds the distinction of being the longest serving Selectman in the history of the town of West Bridgewater and one of the longest serving in the state of Massachusetts. Often referred to as "The People's Selectman" for his approachability and ability to deliver results, Eldon advocated for enriching the quality of life of town residents including preserving the history of the town, enhancing the efficiency of town departments, investing in the town's youth, supporting elderly and disabled residents and securing state funds to help finance capital improvement projects throughout the town while holding the line on expenses.

In addition to his years of dedicated service as Selectman, Eldon represented the town of West Bridgewater on the Old Colony Planning Council since 1986 serving first as a delegate, then for several terms as president in addition to secretary, treasurer and on the board of directors. Eldon was also an active member of the Plymouth County Selectmen's Association, Plymouth County Advisory Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Memorial & Veteran's Day Committees, Republican Town Committee, Campello Businessmen's Association, Enterprise Club, Power Squadron and long-term member, past president and on the board of directors for the Samoset Rod & Gun Club in West Bridgewater.

Eldon was selected Citizen of the Year for West Bridgewater in 2003, an award presented to him by the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters. In 2015, he was honored with the installation of a street sign bearing his name, Eldon Moreira Way, commemorating his decades of dedication and steadfast leadership to the town of West Bridgewater. The Samoset Rod and Gun Club held a testimonial dinner in Eldon's honor in 2018 as one of the founding members of the club in which he was presented with a commendation from the governor and a flag specifically designated for him which had been flown over the U.S. Capitol. Finally, Eldon was further honored in 2021 when the Board of Selectmen meeting room located in the West Bridgewater Town Hall was respectedly named after him. He was also recognized during West Bridgewater's Bicentennial Celebration in 2022 for his long standing commitment and contributions to the town spanning over four decades.

Eldon is survived by his children Tricia Williams and her husband Robert of Norfolk, MA; Robert Moreira of Brockton, MA; David Moreira and his wife Robin of Northborough, MA as well as his grandchildren Justin Williams and his wife Emily of Arlington, VA; Katelyn (Williams) Dumas and her husband Timothy of Franklin, MA; Stephen Williams of Norfolk, MA; Cameron Moreira of Worcester, MA; and Adam Moreira of Holden, MA plus many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother Leo Moreira and his wife Jean of Brockton, MA and their children Michael and John Moreira also of Brockton, MA, John's daughter, Tara Peters and her husband, Scott, and their son, Nathan.

Calling hours for family and friends will be held at the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 441 South Main St., (Rte 28) West Bridgewater, MA on Friday, January 3, 2025 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. A funeral mass will be held at 10am on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at St. Ann's Church, 103 N. Main St., West Bridgewater, MA. Following the mass, attendees are invited to walk next door to the West Bridgewater Town Hall to pay tribute to Eldon with military honors before the funeral procession proceeds to Pine Hill Cemetery in West Bridgewater where he will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Bridgewater Council on Aging, 97 West Center Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379.