New Bedford - Joao Catao da Cunha, age 88 of New Bedford, passed away on Friday, September 19, 2014, at the New Bedford Health Care Center after a long period of illness.
He was the loving husband of Maria F. (Pereira) Cunha and the son of Maria de Jesus Catoa and Manuel Tome da Cunha.
He was born in Ilhavo, Portugal, and moved to this country in 1966 where he worked as a weaver at Berkshire Hathaway Inc. until his retirement.
Joao was passionate about music and loved watching soccer games. His two favorite teams were "Os Belenenses” and "Futebol Clube Do Porto".
He was an accomplished musician. He played trumpet for the musical group " Jazz Estrela" and the "Banda dos Bombeiros Voluntarios de Ilhavo" (Musica Nova) marching band for many years.
He is survived by a brother, Antonio Catao da Cunha and his wife Catarina from Portugal, and 2 children: John F. Cunha and his wife Maria Amelia Cunha of North Dartmouth, MA, and Antonio J. P. Cunha and his wife Tonda Lee Cunha from Raleigh, NC.
He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Christina C. Delgado, Joey and Kiesi Cunha and 2 great-grandchildren, Aiden and Emma Delgado. Joao was the paternal grandfather to the late Rachel C. Cunha.
His funeral will be held Tuesday morning beginning in the funeral home at 9:30 A.M. and continuing with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow in the Rural Cemetery in New Bedford.
Visiting hours will take place at Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St., in New Bedford on Monday evening from 5-8 P.M.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Joao Catao da Cunha to: Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Arrangements placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. in New Bedford.