Joseph J. “Joe” Alves, Sr., 97, of New Bedford died on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at Sacred Heart Home after a long illness with Alzheimer’s disease. He passed on peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Nossa Senhora de Monte, Cape Verde Islands, he lived in New Bedford for many years. He was the son of the late Joao Francisco Alves and Maria Lopes Canuto Alves.
He is survived by his two sons Joseph J. Alves, Jr., of Dartmouth and John F. Alves, of New Bedford; four daughters, Shirley Jonia Marie Alves, of New York City, Irma Gatrell, of Warren, Ohio, Nina M. Williams, of Moreno Valley, CA, and Barbara Alves-Farrier of Boston; twelve grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. He was the father of the late Antonio J. Alves.
Mr. Alves was formerly employed as a merchant marine chief steward for the Gulf Oil Corporation for 45 years, until his retirement in 1972. As a World War II veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marine, he served in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Middle East, and Pacific War Zones. He was a recipient of the Merchant Marine Combat Bar for his active service in ships engaged in direct enemy contact.
As a result of his many years of traveling around the world, his respect for other cultures and the importance of tolerance and diversity was reinforced and he instilled these values in his family. He had an everlasting interest in the events of his birthplace, the island of Brava. He enjoyed reading history as well as current events and relished the opportunity to discuss those topics with others. Also, he enjoyed vegetable gardening, cooking, and dancing; and most importantly spending time with family and friends.
Mr. Alves was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church. He was a member of the Our Lady of the Assumption Club, Grupo Coroa de Esperito Santo, the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Association, and the Bisca Tournament Club.
The family would like to thank Sacred Heart Home and the Community Nurse and Hospice Care for the care given to their father during his illness.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 9 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.