José Carreiro Rodrigues, 88, of Fall River, MA, husband of the late Maria do Carmo de Melo Moreira Rodrigues, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Southpointe Nursing Home.  Born in the village of Maia, São Miguel, Azores, he was a son of the late Caetano Rodrigues and the late Maria Encarnação Carreiro.

After a long courtship, and quite a few serenades, he married his beautiful wife, Maria.  In 1967, José emigrated to Fall River, preceding Maria, and their four young children, to set up a homestead and provide them with better educational and career opportunities.

José was a tough, resilient, and tireless hard worker of the old school, providing for his family, helping neighbors with their homes, yards, and gardens.  José worked for many years as a landscaper for Boulevard Nurseries, in Middletown, RI.  In the 1980s, he and Maria purchased a home on a 24-acre horse farm in Dartmouth, MA, where he enjoyed tending to his animals and practicing organic gardening long before it was a trend.

José loved his music, in particular Fado, and his favorite singer, Amalia Rodrigues.  He could whistle a fine tune and sing, knowing the words to so many songs of his native Portugal.  He loved to relax on his front porch in the city, talking to neighbors and passersby with Maria.  He had the most amazing garden, which he was always quick to share both the harvest and the plants with all.  His favorite hobbies were landscape design, tending to his garden and grapevines, making his own wine, and some cooking (the spicier the better).  Most of all, he loved spending time with his beloved wife Maria, his children/grandchildren, visiting friends and family, and watching westerns, golf, and RTP.  A native Portuguese speaker, José taught himself English to pass the citizenship exam.  A proud US citizen, José always voted, and kept up with current events around the world.  Most of all, José will be remembered for his generosity, hard work, quick wit, and love for his family.

José is survived by: four children, Margaret Meisch  (husband Paul Meisch) of Minnesota, Robert Rodrigues (wife Lisa Ann Rodrigues) of Rhode Island, Joseph Rodrigues of Massachusetts, and Edith Allard (husband Philip S. Allard) of MA/NYC; nine grandchildren, Jill Rodrigues, Robert Rodrigues, Joseph Rodrigues, Nichole Rodrigues, Patrick Meisch, Angela Allard, Ryan Meisch, Charles Allard, and Cristina Meisch; three great grandchildren, Hannah and Holly Rodrigues, and Daniel Guerriero Jr.; and many nieces and nephews. José was the brother of nine sisters and one brother, all who preceded him in passing: Maria Do Espírito Santo Carreiro Rodrigues, Ines Carreiro Rodrigues, Irmelinda Furtado, Maria José Carreiro Rodrigues, Maria da Conceição Rodrigues, Maria Ponte, Delzira Da Costa, Irene Carreiro Rodrigues, Belmida Carreiro Rodrigues, and José Carreiro Rodrigues.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, December 18th, in St. Anthony of Padua Church followed by his committal at Notre Dame Cemetery.

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 this pandemic 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!