José I. Tavares

José I. Tavares, 86, of Fall River, passed into eternal life on Saturday, April 27, 2024. He was the husband of Maria O. Tavares.

Born in São Miguel, Açores, he was the son of the late João and Maria (Augusta) Tavares.

José was employed in the boat manufacturing business for his career, where he made many lifelong friends. He devoutly attended Sunday church services throughout his life, always dressing in a suit and tie. He was involved in many church events, of which he loved.

He had a green thumb in life, and worked hard to maintain the beauty of the flowers and bushes in his garden. He loved planting and growing his own food, such as vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes, as well as fruits such as his grapevines and plum tree.

José loved food and was well-known for making queijo de vaca, in addition to his famous shrimp every year for Christmas Eve. It was spending time with family that brought him the most happiness in life, including the many dogs that he had as companions.

Besides his wife of 60 years, he leaves five children, Elia Moura (husband Mario), Maria Barao (late husband Peter), Robert Tavares (wife Suzanne), Dino Tavares (partner David Honig) and Samuel Tavares (wife Elizabeth); 11 grandchildren, Jonathan Moura, Alexis Madeira (husband Kevin), Alyssa Tavares, Chantelle Moura,  Alex Tavares (wife Katie Tavares), Karina Barao, Zachary Barao, Demetrius Honig Tavares, Nicholas Tavares and Gionni Honig Tavares, Charlotte Tavares; a great-granddaughter, Eliana Correia; three siblings, Maria Afonso, Liberia Sampaio and Roberto Tavares.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 3, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Auclair Funeral Home, 690 South Main St. Fall River and Saturday, May 4 in the morning from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM before his funeral service which will be in the funeral home at 10:00 AM.

Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Prospect St. Fall River.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer's  Association.