Joseph F. Gonsalves, 84
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Joseph F. Gonsalves, age 84, a lifelong resident of Mansfield passed away surrounded by the embracing love of his family on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at home.
He was the beloved husband and best friend of the late Emma E. (Williamson) Gonsalves to whom he was wed for 61 years at the time of her death.
Born in Taunton, MA on July 8, 1929, he was a loving son of the late Joseph and Evangeline (Silva) Gonsalves. He grew up in Mansfield, was educated in Mansfield public schools and attended the Bristol County Agricultural School.
In 1972, Mr. Gonsalves, along with his wife Emma founded the Canoe River Campground, an East Mansfield landmark which today is still owned and operated under the guidance of his family. Joe was also a former self employed excavation contractor in Mansfield.
Joe truly had a heart of gold. He was an entrepreneur and philanthropist who above all his exceptional qualities will always be remembered for his generosity and kindness shown to others and especially for graciously giving back to the Town of Mansfield, of which he loved and was so proud to call his home.
Mr. Gonsalves’s charitable nature included the donation of an ambulance to the Mansfield Fire Department, numerous gifts to the Mansfield Police Department, M.M.A.S., and most recently a beautiful gazebo donated for the towns North Common.
Joe was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Mansfield and a member of the Knights of Columbus. His other memberships included both the Massachusetts and National Campground Owners Association as well as also serving as a Justice of the Peace. Joe and his late wife Emma enjoyed traveling and of course, he loved camping.
He is survived by his loving and devoted children, Arlene E. Carroll and her husband Robert of Mansfield, Steven J. Gonsalves and his wife Lauren of Mansfield, Linda Burmeister and her husband Mark of Mansfield, Faith M. Fitch of Clinton and Christine E. Gonsalves of Mansfield. He was the dear brother of the late Richard Gonsalves and is also survived by his cherished 13 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
His funeral, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Thursday, December 19th at 10:00 A.M. from the Sherman & Jackson funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield followed by a Mass of Christian burial celebrated at 11:00 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt St. (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s cemetery, Mansfield.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, December 18th from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, Joe’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to the Mansfield Ambulance Trust Fund, 10 Plymouth St., Mansfield, MA 02048 or the Mansfield Police Dept. Youth & Community Outreach Program, 50 West St., Mansfield, MA 02048.
To send the Gonsalves family a message of Condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com