Hudson, MA
Jose M. Chaves died peacefully at the age of 72 in his home surrounded by his loving family on August 2, 2016.
Jose was born on July 14th, 1944 in Fonte do Jordao Santo Espirito Santa Maria Azores to Jose C. Chaves and Antonia P. Monteiro. He served in the Portuguese Air Force before immigrating with his parents to Hudson in 1967.
Jose married Beatrice Carvalho on July 4, 1968 and the young couple lived their early years together in Somerville. In 1982, Jose, his wife and 3 children moved to Hudson after buying Hudson Seafoods on Broad Street, which they ran together for the next 14 years. It was renowned for having the best fish & chips in the area. In 1997, Jose joined Hudson Public Schools where he worked as a custodian until his retirement in 2008, although he continued on in a part-time capacity for many years after. Always up for a new challenge, Jose trained as an auxiliary policeman with Wayland Police.
Jose had a love for music. He played baritone in bands his whole life from Cambridge to Hudson to Lowell where he continued to play until his illness. He also played violin, mandolin, accordion and guitar. Jose was the life of every party bringing out the accordion and getting everyone dancing and singing. He loved spending the winters in Florida with his wife. He enjoyed fishing and teaching others to catch a “big one”.
Jose leaves his loving wife of 48 years Beatrice; his children and their spouses, Debby, Matt, Delia, Tommy, Bobby, Kerri and his “adopted’ son Duarte and Manuela; his grandchildren, Kiara, Zachary, Olivia, Sara, Stella, Owen, Alyssa, Tony and Jonathan. He is survived by his older brother Americo Chaves and sister Palmira Bairos as well as extended family.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday August 6th at 9:00 a.m. in Saint Michael’s Church, 21 Manning Street, Hudson. Burial will follow at Forestvale Cemetery, Hudson. Family and friends may attend calling hours on Friday August 5th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA 01749.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Massachusetts General Hospital who cared so well for Jose during his last months. https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/