Gomes, Joao

Joao Gomes, 91, of Newington, died peacefully in the comfort of his home on April 17, 2021, with his l oving f amily by his side. Born April 1, 1930, i n Sao Paulo, Brazil, he was t he youngest child of t he l ate J ose and Margarida (Cardoso) Gomes. He, his mom, and his siblings, emigrated to Freixiosa, Portugal, and t hen t o t he United States, settling in Hartford, before moving to Newington. He was the beloved husband of Luisa (Almeida) Gomes f or 69 years. Joao was employed by the Taylor & Fenn Co. and retired from Hansen-Whitney Co. He was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hartford, and the Portuguese Club. Joao enjoyed recalling the time he served i n the Portuguese military where he delivered communicat i ons on a Harley. He t ook pride i n his yearly vegetable garden and found j oy i n distributing his bounty to his family and friends. He could always be found i n his yard, pruning and planting to perfection. Joao l ooked forward t o his family gatherings, having everyone around the table and making sure everyone was eating. He enjoyed his annual wine making and its debut every Christmas, f i l l i ng all t he glasses r i ght t o t he t op! His family was his greatest love and he was a devoted and loving husband, father, and Vovo. Along with Luisa, he leaves his five children: Joseph Gomes of West Hartford, Mingo Gomes and his wife Diane Czyzniak of Suffield, Maria and Brian Bouthiller of Georgia, Natalie and Robert Botticello of Newington, and Jackie Bonetti of Canton; 14 cherished grandchildren, and 12 greatgrandchildren. He i s also survived by several brothersi n- l aw, sisters- i n- l aw, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. Joao was pre-deceased by his loving daughter-in-law, Marguerite “Maggie” Gomes, a brother, Carlos, and sister, I r i cema, both of Brazil, and his sister and brother-in-law Dirce and Antonio Dias. He will be missed dearly, but we will forever remember his loving smile and the sweet sound of his songs. Joao's family will r eceive f r i ends on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, f r om 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Fatima Square, Hartford. Please go directly to church. He will be l aid t o r est i n Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Please note that regulations for required face masks and social distancing continue to be i n effect and will be observed. Memorial contributions may be made i n Joao's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105. For directions or to express sympathy or a memory with the family, please visit us at www.duksa.net.