Rosa, João “John” Lenha

Joao “John” Lenha Rosa, 62, former resident of Hartford, beloved husband for 40 years of Lidia Rafael Lopes Rosa, passed away unexpectedly on October 20, 2021 in his native Portugal. Born in Serra de Santo Antonio on October 11, 1959, son of the late Juvenal Jacinto Rosa and Perpetua Quiterio Lenha, he was raised in Portugal and immigrated to Hartford in 1981 shortly after his marriage to Lidia. They raised their two children Kendra and Jason in the South End of Hartford, with Joao often

working two jobs to support their family – ten years at Trinity College and seventeen at CW Resources, as well as his own small business, Rosa's Cleaning Services. While in Hartford Joao cared for his parents and inlaws, built his own garage and wine cellar, and helped

countless friends whenever anyone called in need.

Joao and Lidia moved to Portugal in 2014, where they created a new home and cared for both of their recently widowed fathers. As a child in his native village of Serra de Santo Antonio, he was known as the young boy who would play chess with the older men. Joao was driven by his deep spiritual curiosity and appreciation for human nature and the natural world. He loved to explore the caves and nature trails of the village, embark upon half-planned adventures, and celebrate the joys of life. His fun-loving spirit will never be paralleled. Joao was always ready to lend a helping hand, a silly smile, or some other kindness. Once, upon being woken by a would-be robber while taking his afternoon nap in the car, he simply smiled and handed over his coins. “He probably needed them more than I did,” he

said.

In addition to his wife Lidia, Joao is survived by his daughter Kendra Lopes Rosa and her husband Zachary Andrew Nusbaum of Durham NC, and their two children Isadora Jane Nusbaum and Luana Josete Rosa; his son Jason Manuel Lopes Rosa and his wife Stephanie Lauren Rosa of Rochester, NY, and their two children Caetano David Manuel Rosa and Ariana Lucia Maria Rosa; his three sisters Maria Adelina Almeida, Belmira Conceicao, and Amalia Boily, all residing in Montreal, QC, Canada; and large, beloved, extended family and network of friends. He was like a brother to all. A funeral will be held on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 4:30pm (UTC) in Serra de Santo Antonio, Portugal at the church in which he was baptized. Joao will be laid to rest in the village's cemetery.

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