José Eduardo da “Costa Pereira” (O Guardião, O Bravo)
José Eduardo da Costa Pereira, 75, of Tewksbury MA, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024 due to complications caused by a brief battle with throat cancer.
He was born on February 15, 1948 on the Portuguese island of Faial in the archipelago of Açores where he grew up and was educated. He was one of the top goalies for his local soccer team Fayal Sport Club. It was in Faial that he met his loving wife of nearly 56 years, Maria da Ajuda Mesquita of Graciosa. He served three years in the 28th troop of the Portuguese commandos. In 1972, he immigrated to the United States where he first lived on Central Street in Lowell MA until he later moved to his current home in Tewksbury.
He was renowned for his contributions to the Portuguese American Center (Blue’s Club) of Lowell where he was a member and served as their president for two years. He was an avid fan of both Benfica and the Portuguese National Soccer team.
His favorite pastimes were playing computer and T.V. games, watching Benfica, going out to eat with his family, and having cookouts in the backyard.
He was survived by his wife, Maria da Ajuda Pereira; his daughter Maria Little and her husband Mark, of Dracut; his grandchildren, Ashley Little and her fiancé, Bernie, and Markie Little and his fiancé, Mat, of Dracut; his brother Jorge Alberto Pereira and his wife Natalia of Faial, his sister Veronica Madruga da Costa of Faial, his sister Virginia Vieira and her husband Jorge of Faial, his sister-in-law Maria Sullivan and her husband Kevin of NH, his goddaughter and niece Jessica Brito, her partner Carlos Silva, and their son Blaze of Lowell; his nephews Carlos Madruga da Costa and his wife, Sara, of Madeira, Ricardo Madruga da Costa and his wife, Helena, of São Miguel, Luis Felipe Madruga da Costa of Lisbon, Luis Paulo Viera and his wife, Alexandra, of São Miguel, Felipe Jorge and his wife Mónica of Portugal, and his niece Clara Vieira of Faial; and many grandnieces and nephews.
He was also the son of the late José Silveira Pereira and Virginia Leal da Costa, the son-in-law of the late João Inácio Mesquita and Deolinda da Ajuda Mendonça, the brother-in-law of the former president of Açores, Alberto Madruga da Costa, and the uncle of the late Ryan Casey and Sandra Vieira.
He was a man full of unconditional love and pride for his family. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to put a smile on his daughter or grandchildren's faces. They were his world, and he was theirs. He will be greatly missed by all.
On Friday, February 9, 2024 all are welcome to attend his calling hours from 9-11 a.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell. His funeral mass will follow at 12 noon at St. Anthony Church, 893 Central Street, Lowell.
For those who can not attend, his funeral will be live streamed at 12 noon here: Service Streaming Link
Interment will take place privately in his beloved homeland, Faial, Azores, Portugal, in accordance with his final wishes.