New Bedford – On Saturday June 27, 2020 Joao M. Rebelo, age 78, of New Bedford, loving husband, and father of three daughters entered into eternal rest surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Maria C. (Branco) Rebelo. Joao was born on January 10, 1942 in Pardelhas, Murtosa, Portugal, to the late Artur and Celeste (Fazenda) Rebelo.
Joao came to the United States 50 years ago with his wife and daughter and settled in Newark, New Jersey. Later, with 3 young daughters and his wife, he moved to Massachusetts, where he became a fisherman, working on several fishing vessels. He worked hard to build a better life for his wife and children. He exemplified that with hard work, you can achieve anything you want.
He was an avid soccer fan and Benfica was his favorite team, which is probably why red was also his favorite color. One of his many talents, in which he took great pride in, was to take a piece of wood and craft it by hand into a beautiful boat replica.
Joao is survived by his loving wife, Maria; his 3 daughters, Celeste Costeira and her husband Antonio, Maria Rebelo and her lifelong companion Bob Furtado, and Sandra Estrella and her husband Trevor. He is also survived by his 4 grandchildren, Alyson Los and her husband Christopher, Marissa Costeira and her fiancé Nelson Oliveira, Aubrey and Raquel Estrella; along with his siblings, Manuel Rebelo and Arminda Valente, and many nieces and nephews.
Joao’s visiting hours will be held at Perry Funeral Home on Thursday, July 2, 2020 from 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. His funeral will be Friday morning, beginning in the funeral home at 9:15 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 10:15 A.M. Burial will immediately follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.
All attendees for visiting hours and church services are required by current mandated restrictions to wear a face covering and to practice social distancing of 6 feet. Attendance will be limited at both places in order to meet the mandated capacity restrictions.
Arrangements are placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth Street in New Bedford.