LOWELL Joao A. Melo, 77, of Lowell, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on Friday, October 23, 2020. He was the beloved husband of Luisa S. (Cunha) Melo, with whom he shared nearly 50 years of marriage with.
He was born on March 3, 1943 in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal. A son of the late Luis C. Melo and the late Virginia M. (Mendonca) Melo, he was raised and educated in Graciosa and worked as a taxi driver for many years in his home country. Along with his wife and two children, he came to the United States in 1974, settling in Lowell to raise a family. He worked for over 25 years with Interstate Container before his retirement, and also worked for Wang and Commodore Foods over the years.
Mr. Melo was a member of the Lowell Portuguese Marching Band, in which he played the trombone. He was also an active member of the Portuguese American Center “The Blues Club” of Lowell, and was honored to serve on the clubs board. In his younger days, Joao enjoyed fishing, especially in the waters of the Cape Cod canal. He was also a big soccer fan and lifelong supporter of Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Besides his beloved wife, Luisa, of Lowell, he is also survived by his children, Maria Melo and her husband, Joe, of Lowell, Joao D. Melo and his wife, Dilia, of Lowell, Judy Vitorino and her husband, Fernando, of Lowell and Mark Melo and his wife, Jade, of Manchester, NH. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren, Miranda, Tristan, Joao Jr., Brianna, Olivia, Sofia Melo, Alexis, Felicia, Serena, Jordan Vitorino and his great grandson, Gianni Melo. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
He was the father of the late Maria Fatima Melo and a brother of the late Arlindo Melo, Clarimundo Demelo, Valdemiro Melo, Helia Leandro.
WHILE FOLLOWING SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES AND WEARING A MASK, YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS VISITATION ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2020 FROM 4-7 P.M. AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, HIS FUNERAL SERVICE AT 7 P.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL, MA 978-458-66816. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTION IN HIS NAME TO THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS/NEW HAMPSHIRE, 309 WAVERLEY OAKS, WALTHAM, MA 02452.