Leonardo De Melo, 94 years old, of Somerville, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2024 at The Blaire House in Tewksbury surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of the late Maria Eduarda (Borges) Melo for 63 years.
Born and raised in São Miguel, Azores, Leonardo worked as a cashier at a local convenience store and then as a mail-carrier in Lagoa. In 1975, he came to America in hopes of providing a brighter future for his family and he resided in Somerville where he worked as a tool inspector at Cambridge Tool in Billerica until his retirement.
A humble, loving, simple man, Leonardo was as meticulous as one could be. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and especially his great-grandchildren. He took delight in keeping up with current events in his beloved homeland by watching RTP, the Portuguese Channel.
His passing will be deeply felt by everyone who loved him.
Leonardo is survived by his children: Estrela Andre and her husband John of Vancouver, BC; Ana Melo and her late husband Tom Platz of Tewksbury; Jose Melo and his wife Natalie of Stoughton. He was the father of the late Maria Carmen Silva and father-in-law of John Silva of West Bridgewater and his wife Ana. He was the beloved grandfather of Christine Hrenko and her husband Matthew, Sonia Cordeiro and her partner Andrea Christoforou, Jennifer Bradford and her husband William, Jessica Croatti and her husband Michael, Ashley Pulcini and her husband Chris, Catherine Andre and her partner Thomas Rose, Jacqueline Racanelli and her husband Kristofer and the late Joao Paulo Cordeiro. He was the great-grandfather of Liam, Madison, and Abigail Bradford; Peyton, Riley and Austin Hrenko; Cayson and Cash Croatti and Crew Pulcini.
Leonardo was also the dear brother of Jose Manuel and his wife Conceicao and Maria DosAnjos Silva and her husband Manuel, all of Vancouver. He was predeceased by his sisters Natalia Melo and Margarida Alcadinho and his brother Carlos Melo. He was also the loving uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visiting Hours will be held at the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street, (Rte. 123) Brockton, Monday, April 15 from 4-7pm. The funeral procession will gather at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 16 at 9am for a Funeral Mass in Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton St., Stoughton at 10am. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Stoughton.