Joseph F. "Jose Francisco" Arruda

Joseph F. “Jose Francisco” Arruda, age 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at St. Anne’s Hospital. He was the loving husband of Maria Natalia (Medeiros) Arruda to whom he was married for 66 years.

Born in Capelas, Sao Miguel, Acores a son of the late Jose Carvalho and Maria de Lurdes (Silva) Arruda, he immigrated to the United States in June of 1974 and settled in Fall River.

A skilled bricklayer, he worked for Kenneth Castalucci Construction for many years and was involved with many large projects including the rerouting of the Providence River, Mohegan Sun, Dave & Busters and laid the brick around the Prince Henry Society Statue on Eastern Avenue in Fall River. A Dominos enthusiast he was a self-proclaimed G.O.A.T. A “sick” Porto soccer fan, he was also passionate about making his own wine for over forty years. He possessed a great sense of humor and was very interactive with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by seven daughters, Marie Lou Arruda-Martins of Fall River, Maria Natalia Arruda of Fall River, Theodora Gabriel of Swansea, Lucia Costa and her husband Joao of Westport, Alcina Lewis and her husband Jeremy of Tiverton, Maria Lanosa and her husband Jason of Somerset, and Lorraine Smith and her husband James of Swansea; four sons, Antonio Arruda and his wife Betty of Cape Coral, FL, Serf Arruda and his wife Rachel of Fall River, Sergio Arruda and his fiancée Teri-Lyn of Fall River and Joey Arruda of Fall River; one sister, Laura Viveiros; daughter-in-law, Theresa Arruda; 26 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Paul Arruda and Joao Arruda and the brother of the late Vincent Carvalho and Teodora Viveiros.

His Funeral Service will be held Friday, February 24, 2023 at 8:30 AM from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street, Fall River followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in Good Shepherd Church, 1598 South Main Street, Fall River. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Thursday, February 23 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM.