Hildalberto Mendonca, 77, of Tewksbury, passed away peacefully at his home after a long illness on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Maria Eugenia (Silva) Mendonca with whom he shared their 52nd wedding anniversary this past May.
He was born on November 26, 1944 in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal and was a son of the late Jose S. and the late Leoncia A. (Espinola) Mendonca. He was raised and educated in Graciosa, worked on the area farms and served in the Portuguese Military.
In 1968 he set out to the United States to where he would settle. He then went back to Graciosa, married his wife, Maria, and together they came to the United States, settling in Lowell on Lawrence Street. Later, the family moved to Tewksbury, finding their forever home.
Hildalberto was employed as a mechanic at Freudenberg Group (the former Pellon) in Lowell/Chelmsford for many years before his retirement at age 60. He was a communicant of St. Anthony Church, and member of the Portuguese American Center ‘the Blue’s Club’, the Holy Ghost Society, and the Portuguese Veterans. He was a passionate gardener well known for his pristine lawn and vegetable garden, which he loved to share with others.
In addition to his wife, Maria, he is survived by three daughters, Alice Realejo and her husband, Donald of Tewksbury, Denia Mendonca of Tewksbury, and Lili Mendonca of Nashua; his six beloved grandchildren, Kevin, Katrina and Kyle Realejo all of Tewksbury, Jenna and Nathan Cole of Tewksbury, and Serena Jalbert of Albany, NY. He is also survived by his brother and sister, Manuel Santos of Cambridge, and Laurinda Parent of Lowell; his brother in law, Joao Alves of Cambridge; his sisters in law Viterba Santos of Billerica; Flavia M Bettencourt of Brazil: and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was welcomed into heaven by his sisters, the late Maria dos Santos Mendonca Silva, the late Madelina Alves; his brother in law, the late Carl Parent; and his sister in law, the late Liduina Santos; and his brother in law, the late Norberto Santos of Billerica and the late Manuel M Bettencourt of Brazil.
On Sunday, November 20, 2022 all are welcome to attend his calling hours from 4 - 7 p.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 978-458-6816. On Monday morning his funeral will begin at the funeral home at 10 a.m. His Funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Church, 893 Central Street, Lowell. A procession will follow for burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury. Please find us on facebook or visit www.McDonoughFuneralHome.com to leave the family a message of condolence at any time.