Joseph "Joe" Simão, 82, of Lowell, passed away after a long illness on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Throughout the duration of his illness, he remained in the comfort of his home and under the loving care of his family, including his wife Filomena (Ferreira) Simão with whom he shared the last thirty-five (35) years of marriage.
Born José Dionisio Lima Simão on February 9, 1943, in the parish of Guadalupe on the island of Graçiosa, Azores, Portugal. He was raised with his six (6) siblings and attended local schools. Joe proudly served in the Portuguese Army stationed in Lisbon, Portugal. In 1967, Joe and his siblings came to the United States with their father who was a US Citizen. Joe settled in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he became an integral part of the local community.
His meticulous talent for building was deeply rooted and began as a young boy watching his father build schools in Graçiosa. Once he arrived in the US, it was not long before he worked his way into the trades including working with John Silva at Silva Bros. Painting in Lowell and White Construction in Burlington. Joe was a member of the Bricklayer’s Union where he, like his father before him, was instrumental in the construction of schools. Joe often spoke proudly of having built various schools in the Boston area, as well as the Greater Lowell Vocational Technical High School.
Joe manifested the "American Dream" with a true enterprising spirit. He expanded upon his construction talent, building a real estate portfolio and opening several successful businesses including Simão’s Construction, Simão Realty & Sons, Simão's Hideaway, IV Seasons Restaurant, Pioneer Liquors and Europa Café, all in Lowell.
Joe was a longtime communicant of St. Anthony Parish in Lowell and was a member of the Holy Ghost Society, the Holy Trinity, the Portuguese American Center "Blue’s Club" and the Portuguese American Civic League "Red's Club". He enjoyed playing cards (especially Sueca), playing pool in the APA League, and watching his favorite soccer team Sporting Clube de Portugal. Many will remember Joe’s zest for life, charismatic personality, and his ability to make you feel like the most special person in the room. His family will remember the emphasis he placed on spending time together.
He leaves a legacy of generosity that will resonate for generations. Upon his immigration to the United States, he never forgot his roots and what it took to succeed in assimilating to a new culture. He saw himself in other immigrants who were searching for the “American Dream” and helped build opportunity by offering work or a lending a hand when no one else could or would. He was active not only in the Portuguese American community but also in local politics and was a longtime supporter of the Lowell Police Department.
In addition to his wife, Filomena Simão of Lowell, Joe is survived by his three children - Karen Simão of Boston, Joseph Simão Jr. of Townsend, and Avlynn Calheta and her husband Ivan, of Lowell; and his four grandchildren – Alexandria Ferguson, Private Joseph Simão III (United States Army Fort Bening, GA), Amaya Calheta and Izaiah Calheta. He is also survived by his siblings – Maria Ivone Quadros of Peabody, Apolinario “Paul” Simão and his wife Evarista of Lowell, and Helena Martiniano and her husband Rogerio of Port St. Lucie, FL; his sisters in law, Celia Simão of Dracut, Gabriella Simão of East Providence RI, and Dulce Ferreira of Lowell; his 100-year old mother in law, Josefina Ferreira of Lowell; his godchildren, Tony Simão of Jacksonville, FL and Kevin Martiniano of Port St. Lucie, FL; and generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and nephews.
The family finds comfort knowing the he was greeted at the gates of Heaven by so many who loved him so much, and that in Heaven he is reunited for all eternity with his late parents Manuel Simão and Avelina (Lima) Simão; his late siblings Manuel Fernando Simão, Odete DeSousa, and Antonio Simão; his late sister in law Helena (DaSilva) Simão, his late brothers in law Jose Quadros and John DeSousa; his late father in law João Ferreira; and his late godson Nelson Simão.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Joe’s care team from Tufts Medical Care at Home and AgeSpan. While his entire team provided outstanding support, a special thank you is given to his CNA, Angelica Rosario, and his nurse, Danielle Murphy, for their exceptional care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Massachusetts/New Hampshire, 320 Nevade Street #201, Newton, MA 02460 or online at: https://www.alz.org/manh.
All family and friends are invited to pay their respects and celebrate Joe’s life. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, beginning at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his funeral mass at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony Parish, 893 Central Street, Lowell, MA with the burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury, MA.
For those who can not attend, his funeral will be live streamed at 10 a.m. Saturday morning at: https://www.facebook.com/McDonoughFuneralHome/videos/