With great sadness and broken hearts, the Soares and Brandao families, experienced the sudden loss of our beloved parents, Miguel "Djinhe" Francisco Soares and Maria "Zinha" (Brandao) Soares. Miguel, 89, passed on September 30, 2021 and his beloved wife of 52 years, Maria, 82, passed unexpectedly two days before on September 28, 2021.
Miguel, born in Sao Nicolau, is the son of the late Francisco Miguel and Emilia Maria (Da Graca) Soares, of Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde Islands. Maria, born in Bambadinca, Guinea-Bissau, is the daughter of the late Antonio Gomes Brandao and Maria Rosa Brandao Soares, of Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde Islands.
Miguel was a Merchant Marine in his youth traveling all around the world while cooking and doing barber services on deck. He was stationed in Rotterdam, Netherlands and Lisbon, Portugal until they finally came to New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1976. He started as a machine operator and was promoted to supervisor for many years at Titliest Acushnet Company and also had worked at Chamberlain.
"Djinhe" was a member of the Bisca Club in New Bedford. He loved playing cards every week with his brother, John, and almost daily with his wife, Maria. "Djinhe" loved his Cape Verdean music and was found singing and playing his guitar every Saturday morning and also with his friends at family gatherings. He enjoyed fixing things around the house and was very handy.
Maria in her youth helped manage her family's sugar plantation and also worked at the bank in Bambadinca, Guinea-Bissau and then moved to Rotterdam, Netherlands where she worked in a chocolate factory. Upon arriving in the United States from Lisbon, Portugal, Maria worked at Chamberlain and Titliest Acushnet Company for many years as a machine operator. Maria was formerly employed as a housekeeper at St. Luke's Hospital, as well as a personal housekeeper to The Tichon Family of Fairhaven, whom she cared for dearly.
Mariazinha was an extremely devoted mother to her large family as well as the community mother to all she met, known to all as "Mama Soares." Mariazinha spread her love through her jovial spirit, caring for those she loved and especially through her cooking. She was always found cooking for her family at home & her extended family everywhere. She was especially known for her dishes from her home in West Africa, Chabeu and Cal de Mancara, as well as her Portuguese dishes she learned growing up. Mariazinha was quite a Fashionista who had an amazing sense of style that has definitely been passed down to the women in her family. We will always remember her stories and the laughter she created. She often said, "I like to make people laugh, that's me."
Miguel and Maria spent many memorable times at family and community functions and were always found dancing their way around the perimeter of the dance floor commanding attention like only they could, well into their 80's. They loved to travel and took many trips. They had also built their own home in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde Islands where they retired to for a few years. They always played cards and dominoes together and did crossword puzzles sitting side by side, as they enjoyed their family well into their retirement years. They were an amazing example of Love to all those who knew them, but especially to their children.
Miguel is survived by his children: the late Natalina Soares (Sao Nicolau), Ana Soares and Maria L. Goncalves (New Bedford), Horacio Soares (Italy), Adriano Soares and Helena Soares (New Bedford), Louise Marie da Luz Soares (Rotterdam, Netherlands), Elizabete Soares, Eden Soares, the late Susanna Soares and Rosemary Soares (New Bedford); his brother, Joao Soares and his wife Maria of New Bedford; his late brother, Jose Martins Soares of Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde Islands.
Maria is also survived by her daughter, Elizabete Soares; her son, Eden Soares; her late daughter, Susanna Soares and her daughter, Rosemary; her late brothers, Manuel Brandao and Antonio Brandao.
Miguel and Maria were the beloved aunt and uncle to Miguel Soares Martins, the late Lieke, José, Elidio, Cecilio, Emilia, Maria Lidia and Maria Manuela Martins; the late Tony, Carlos and Sandra and Liudmila Brandao; Filomena, Milu, Helen, Mary, the late John, Danny, Edmund and Christina Soares. They were also beloved grandparents to Miguel Soares, Osvaldina Ramos, Suely Duarte, Caetano Ramos, João Ramos, Manuel Ramos, Domingos Ramos, Jose Ramos, Monique Pires, John Fortes, Natalie Soares, Jonathan Soares, Jessica Correia Soares, Verônica Soares, Britney Soares, Chelsea Soares, Lavi Batista, Nelson Soares, Ocean and Hyphen Soares, Marley and Maiden Soares, Mark Verdejo, Isaiah Santana and John-nae Sylvia. They were beloved great grandparents to Eduardo Soares, Jaime Ramos, Daneriana Ramos, Marcelo Ramos, Jennifer Ramos, Dariana Ramos, Leandro Ramos, Ruben Monteiro, Kyara Monteiro, Maelys Monteiro, Nyel Lopes, Ashianna Lobo, Diego Edmar Soares, Marvin Paulo Soares, Leroy Rodrigues Soares, Mandie Deborah Rodrigues Soares, Jaylano Rudy Lemmers, Jamahrie Texeira, Isa'liah Soares and Zaydin Soares. They also have many great nieces and nephews who will miss them dearly.
Their visiting hours will be held on Thursday, October 7th, from 4-8 p.m. at the Saunders-Dwyer New Bedford Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street. Their Funeral Service will be Friday, October 8th, at 8 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by their Funeral Mass at 9:00 am in Our Lady of Assumption, 54 South Sixth St., New Bedford, MA. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery.