FALL RIVER – Nelson L. Mateus, 69, of Fall River, left his body behind to start a new journey and reunite with his long-lost family and friends on Thursday, March 25. Cancer destroyed his body, but nothing could damage the spirit of this angelic man who brought joy and love to everyone he knew. He helped make the world a better place for those he was closest to, as well as for those he never met through the countless charities and causes he supported over the years.
He passed into the eternal world at home surrounded by his loved ones who are left with a piece of their hearts broken, but also fuller for having known him and for sharing their lives with him.
Born in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores and raised in Agua de Pau, he was the son of the late João & Guilhermina Mateus. For 46 years, he was the devoted and loving husband of Joana (Dias) Mateus and the best dad in the world to his son Nelson D Mateus (wife Kathryn) of Somerset and daughter Kimberly Mateus (fiancé Robert Lorum) of Westerly, RI.
He leaves behind his brothers and best friends Veber Mateus (wife Sofia) of Fall River, Helder Mateus (wife Rosemary) of Somerset & Paul Jorge Mateus (wife Lorie) of Fall River; his ‘linda querida’ granddaughter Silvana Mateus; his beloved mother-in-law Maria J. Dias; many cousins and several godchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, all of whom he adored. Nelson was predeceased by his toddler brother Helder who passed away at the age of 2 from Typhoid Fever.
Nelson’s childhood was spent on the shores of Caloura where he and his brothers would dive for ‘lapas’, and he enjoyed weekly movies at the outdoor theater near their Agua de Pau home. His childhood summers were spent visiting grandparents in the village of Mosteiros on the Western coast of the island—a voyage that would take all day via bus in the 1950’s Azores.
In 1966, Nelson, Helder, Paul and their parents immigrated to the US while his eldest brother Veber was serving in the Portuguese Army. Three years later, tragedy struck their family when they lost their father to a heart attack. At the tender age of 18, Nelson and his 19-year-old ‘Irish twin’ Helder were forced to grow up quickly and raise their 5-year old brother Paul, while also caring for their sick mother. In 1971, Veber returned from the war in Angola and was able to help provide some much-needed support to his family.
The trials and tribulations the Mateus brothers faced in their early days helped to form an unbreakable bond between them that would last a lifetime, and that would carry over to the next generations of Mateus families. Nelson enjoyed vacationing with his brothers and his family, eating hotdogs, watching Boston sports and listening to oldies music.
Nelson was blessed to work at Prima CARE in Somerset for the last 20 years. His official title was building maintenance but his purpose there was to do what he loved doing, which was to bring joy and comfort to the team of healthcare professionals who perform the tireless task of caring for the sick. Prior to that he worked as a machine operator at Duro Textiles. He was involved in the Santo Christo Parish for over 50 years and participated in several ministries and projects including the Portuguese American Citizenship Project, the United Interfaith Action, the Fund Raiser for Catholic Charities Appeals and the Santo Christo Restoration Project. He loved volunteering at the annual Santo Christo Feast, and he was a member of the Saint Vincent DePaul Society/Santo Christo Conference.
Calling hours for Nelson’s family and friends will be on Monday March 29 from 5pm-8pm at the Manuel Rogers Funeral Home at 1521 N. Main St. in Fall River. Due to current occupancy restrictions, please be mindful that guests may have to wait outside while others pay their respects. On Tuesday March 30, family is invited to the funeral home at 9am, which will be followed by a funeral mass for all to attend at Santo Christo Church at 10am. Interment to follow at Notre Dame Cemetery. To send the family expressions of sympathy, please visit www.rogersfuneral.com.