Antonio C. Rocha

Antonio C. Rocha, age 91, of North Dartmouth passed away peacefully on Monday, July 20, 2015 with his family by his side. He was the husband of Guilhermina Soares Rocha who he shared 68 years of marriage with and who recently passed away on July 15, 2015.

A son of the late Caetano de Jesus and Maria Isabel (Tavares) Rocha, he was born and raised in Lagoa, São Miguel, Açores. He immigrated to the United States in 1970 living in Dartmouth. While living in Portugal he was a veteran of their armed forces.

Mr. Rocha worked as a mechanic for Ashley Ford in New Bedford for many years before retiring in 1985. He spent most of his time fixing cars for many friends and family and loved working in his yard, tending to his many fruit trees. Mr. Rocha was also an artist, he designed and fabricated many wrought iron pieces on his own for several churches. Many of the chandeliers and gates can be seen throughout the churches in São Miguel; the most notable are: Nossa Senhora do Rosario Lagoa, Furnas, Ribeira Chã, Sao Roque, Vila Franca and Ribeirinha. Mr. Rocha was also a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and he loved to travel, spend time with his family, and watch his favorite team Porto.

He is survived by one daughter: Graca S. Rezendes and her husband Frank S. of Dartmouth, one son: Manuel A. Rocha and his wife Debora M. of Bridgeport, CT, three grandchildren; Philip Rezendes, Alicia Kinsman and Carli Rocha-Reaes: seven great-grandchildren: Liam, Alec, Sammie, Maria Alicia, Douglas, Manuel, and Ava Grace, and many nieces and nephews. He was brother of the late Amelia Furtado.

His Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 9:00AM in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Rivet St., New Bedford. Relatives and friends invited. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions in his honor may be made to Community Nurse and Hospice Center, 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719. Arrangements are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial tribute at Cherry Place, Fall River.