Luis "Braz" Fortuna Oliveira, age 85, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2025, at Charlton Memorial Hospital with his son by his side after being hospitalized on January 8, 2025. A loving husband and father, he is survived by: his son, Luis F. Oliveira of Fall River; his grandchildren, Alessandra and Louis; his sister, Margaret Lima of Middletown, RI; his brother, Carlos Oliveira and wife Silvina of Fall River; sister-in-law, Connie Lima and her husband Tony of London, Ontario; sister-in-law, Lucy Ferreira of London, Ontario; and several nieces and nephews. Luis is predeceased by his loving parents Luis Braz and Maria C. Oliveira, and the love of his life, Betty Oliveira, whom he married on October 11, 1964. They were planning to celebrate 56 years of marriage on October 11, 2020, but unfortunately Betty passed on October 9, 2020.

Born in Fajã de Baixo, São Miguel, Açores, Luis enjoyed opera music and could often be heard singing Enrico Carusso and Mario Lanza songs as a kid in his backyard. His sense of humor and love of music shined when he sang "Disafio" (traditional challenging Portuguese singing rhymes) along with friends, and his impromptu Pavarotti opera songs at gatherings will be greatly missed by family and friends. As a young man he played volleyball and ping pong, and didn't hesitate to mention that he was a champion in both. He was a soccer fan and loved Sporting CP and the Portuguese National Team.

Luis attended Escola Industrial (High School equivalency) for technical accounting, and he began his professional career at the young age of 15 when he started working at UVAC in Ponta Delgada. Under the guidance of Sr. Jose do Rego Dionisio, owner and his "father figure," Luis excelled as he took on more responsibilities. The company was later combined to form Auto Viação Micaelense, and due to his determination, dedication, and hard work he climbed up the corporate ladder and became the company's accountant and Sr. Dionisio's trusted right hand.

After emigrating to the United States in 1976 with his family and establishing roots in Fall River, Luis and Betty founded Luiz's Grocery & Liquor, Inc., L&B Beverage Inc. in RI, and together with their son launched LGL Imports. As the President and force behind the importing/distribution businesses, Luis marked his footprint in the Portuguese business community and is recognized as a pioneer in representing some of the finest and distinctive Portuguese products in the United States. Luis' knowledge of the wine industry, vision, integrity, and ability to build long term relationships over the last 48 years with various producers enabled him to build a solid company foundation that will continue with his legacy.

Luis was a proud member of the Fall River business community, treasurer of the Portuguese Business Association (PBA), member of the Portuguese Building Society (PBS) and other Portuguese organizations. He was very proud to be from São Miguel and willing to help other local Portuguese business. He supported events that promote the Azorean and Portuguese culture, and he quietly supported local Church events and other causes.

He often visited local restaurants and was always ready for a get-together. You could often find him with friends on a "Sabadão" (Saturday) enjoying "Petiscos" (small snack plates) paired with wines he imported. He never wanted a gathering and/or night with friends or family to end – enjoying good food, great wine and some singing until the sun came up was considered a successful night. This mindset is the reason he coined the phrase "A última em pé" (The last one standing) referring to having the last drink of the night standing, which everyone knew the so-called last drink would lead to several drinks lasting hours.  This tradition was not only known in local area restaurants but extended to places and restaurants he visited in the US, Canada, Açores, and Portugal.

A believer of education, he and Betty pushed their son and anyone they met to achieve their educational goals – they often said that "education is something that no one can ever take away from you," and education provides freedom to choose your opportunities.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, January 28th, in St. Anthony of Padua Church followed by his committal and entombment in the  Notre Dame Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Luis' memory to Beth Israel Lahey Health, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main Street, 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129; 781-744-333; https://giving.bilh.org/laheyhospitalmedicalcenter/ways-to-give/.

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!