Jose Maria Parece, 83, of Somerset, husband of Maria Manuela (Alves) Parece, died Monday 7/4/11 at St. Anne's Hospital after an illness. Born in Vila Franca do Campo, S. Miguel, Azores, son of the late Jose A. & Maria S. (Costa) Parece, he resided in Somerset for the past 47 years. As a Second Officer in the Portuguese Merchant Marines, he was a navigator for cross-Atlantic voyages, and also a channel pilot in Ponta Delgada. After emigrating to the U.S. in 1964, he worked at Speidel for 15 years, then at A. B. Ballou jewelry company for many years until retiring. Besides his wife of 57 years, he leaves: 3 sons, Jose Alves Parece of Pawtucket RI, Nelson Alves Parece of Florida, Gary Alves Parece (wife Jody Menard-Parece) of Somerset; 3 daughters, Rita Annis (husband Albert) of Cranston RI, Natalie Parece (husband Glen Cooper) of So. Kingston RI, Vanda Parece Wright of Somerset; a brother, Abilio Parece of S. Miguel, Azores; 8 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; several nieces & nephews. He was also father of the late Gabriel Parece, who died as a child. His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, July 8, at St. Patrick Church followed by committal services at St Patrick Cemetery both in Somerset.