John Gonsalves of Rochester, MA, age 76, passed Wednesday, June 14, 2023 after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. He was the loving husband of 56 years to Nancy (Dias). He was the son of the late Leonora (Costa) Gonsalves of New Bedford, MA and the late Joseph Gonsalves of Alameda, CA.
Born in New Bedford, MA he worked as a machinist at Quaker Oats for over 10 years and then as a scallop fisherman before he became a groundskeeper at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School until his retirement. He was a proud Teamster and an avid deer hunter. He enjoyed spending time with friends and going to the Portuguese Feast every year in New Bedford. He also loved old cars and music and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. His favorite place to visit was Vermont.
The thing in his life he was most proud of was his family. He married his wife Nancy in 1966 and they started a family together in New Bedford, MA before they built a house and settled in Rochester. He leaves behind his loving son, John Gonsalves and his wife, Cheri (Colbert) of Palm Bay, FL and his beautiful daughter, Pamela Saylor of New Bedford, MA. He was the proudest grandfather (aka "Papi") to Janelle Martins and her husband, Nelson of Acushnet, MA. He always called Janelle his "Angel", but the true apple of his eye was his great-granddaughter, Haleigh Jean Martins.
He is survived by his siblings, Bette Reed, Rosemarie Forsblom, Doreen Gonsalves, Darleen Nunes and Arnold Gonsalves. He was predeceased in death by his brothers, Joseph, Antonio, Lawrence, Robert and Ronald Gonsalves and his sister, Leonora "Dolly" Reed. He was the brother-in-law of Richard Dias (Diane), John Dias (Lissa) and Theresa "Joyce" Centeio (Gregory) and the late Walter Dias. He was also predeceased in death by his in-laws, John and Noella (Savaria) Dias.
John's memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 11 AM in Hope Evangelical Church, 88 Hathaway Rd, North Dartmouth, MA 02747. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168.