Joao Maria Oliveira Senra, 70, of Westport, husband of Fatima (Pavao) Senra, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at St. Anne's Hospital following a brief illness. Born in Joao Bom, Bretanha, Sao Miguel, Azores, he was the son of the late Urbano Senra and the late Maria (Oliveira) Senra.

Before his retirement, he owned and operated United Drywall Systems, Inc. and Real Foods Import and Export. A very social man, he was the former President of the Portuguese Madeirense Sports Club and a long-time member of Irmandade de Nossa Senhora da Ajuda.

He was generous beyond measure, always the first to lend a helping hand, from organizing and cooking for club or charity events to offering strength and support to those in need, friends or strangers. He built a sterling reputation, in business and his private life, inspiring loyalty and admiration in those who knew him. Often referred to as "The Chief," he showed his family how to lead with responsibility, compassion, fearlessness, and forgiveness.

A born dreamer and bossy to a fault, he was forever coming up with new plans for the family home and grounds. In the Spring and Summer seasons, he could be found sitting on his John Deere watching his vision come to life around him.

He loved music, and the sounds of Roberto Carlos, Joe Dolan, ABBA, and Olivia Newton-John could often be heard throughout the house. He was a wonderful cook and enjoyed preparing his signature Portuguese dishes at home and the club. It was rare for him to return home without a grocery bag in his hand. He enjoyed traveling to the Azores and Canada, endless trips to The Home Depot, Bonanza marathons, spending time with his grand-nieces, Sophia Pavao and Rebecca Pavao, both of Fall River and his best friend and most loyal protector, his little dog, Yippee.

Above all else, he loved having his dear friends and family gathered around the dinner table, laughing and sharing stories. The world is a darker place without his light in it. After a serious illness in 2018, Joao spent the last six years, a gift, living life to the absolute fullest.

His kindness, charity, strength, and silence reverberated throughout the space he occupied. With quiet, graceful standards he built us a life from sticks and stones, hopes and dreams. He was music and he was magic. Joao always was and always will be larger than life.

Besides his loving wife of forty-six years, he leaves his children, Alexandra Senra and her husband, Jason, and Caroline Senra, both of Westport; his sisters, Cidalia Pavao and her husband, Jose, of the Azores, Marta Costa and her husband, Jose, of Dartmouth, a brother, Jaime Senra and his wife, Gloria, of Dartmouth; and many nieces and nephews.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, October 25th, at Espirito Santo Church in Fall River followed by a private cremation. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in Joao's memory to: St. Anne's Shrine Food Pantry, 818 Middle St., Fall River, MA 02721; or the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Ste 300, Rockville, MD 20852.

Family members are always grateful for relatives and friends wishing to make in-person expressions of kindness and support. If you were unable to do so, because of health concerns or any other reason, all are urged to express their sympathy online or by mail. To ensure that said condolences and/or sympathy cards reach the family, please always make sure that submissions online are made directly through the funeral home's website (www.silvafaria.com) and not through a third party. Thank you!