Joao C. Medeiros 'Vidinha', age 58, of Fall River, passed away at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, on Friday, February 12, 2010, following an illness. He was the husband of Alda M. (Rego) Medeiros. Born in Lagoa, on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores, he was a son of the late Carlos Vidinha and the late Olivia (Mello) Vidinha. He was an Army Veteran of the Portuguese Colonial War in Africa, where he served primarily in the Overseas Province of Guinea. After his discharge from the Army, he retuned to the Azores, married, and moved to Fall River in 1974. Joao worked for many years at Stillwater Fasteners of East Freetown. Although forced to retire early due to a disability, this allowed him to remain home and experience the joy of caring for his only grandchild, Olivia. He was an avid fisherman and soccer fan and enjoyed playing soccer in his youth. Joao always remembered the less fortunate back in the Azores with a large care package he shipped to Sao Miguel each year, and he enjoyed feeding the birds and stray cats in his neighborhood daily. He also liked traveling, especially trips to Canada and attending the Flea Markets on Sundays. He was a communicant of Espirito Santo Church in Fall River. In addition to his wife and granddaughter, he is survived by two children, a son, Jason Medeiros of Fall River, and a daughter, Michelle Medeiros, also of Fall River, two brothers, Jose Vidinha of Fall River, and Fernando Vidinha of North Dartmouth, and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Maria B. Correia. On Tuesday, February 16, 2010, friends and family gathered for a Funeral Mass in Espirito Santo Church. Following the service, pallbearers Andy Eleuterio, Michael Eleuterio, Kevin Vidinha, Ryan Vidinha, David Vidinha, and Carlos Cordeiro brought Joao to his final resting place in Notre Dame Cemetery on Stafford Road in Fall River. Memorial contributions may be sent to your local Animal Rescue League or to the American Cancer Society, 5 Manley St., West Bridgewater, MA 02379, or online at www.cancer.org