Billy M. Cunha, 51, a longtime Lowell resident, passed away with his family by his side at Lowell General Hospital on Saturday, March 7 after a courageous battle with a long term illness.
Billy was born on December 6, 1974 in Salem, MA, a son of the late Manuel E. Cunha and Alcinda M. (Veiga) Cunha, of Lowell. He was raised in Lowell, a graduate of Lowell Catholic High School, and went on to attend Merrimack College.
Billy was a communicant of St. Anthony Church. He worked in the hospitality industry for many years, lastly as a hotel restaurant manager. Music was one of the great joys of his life - he loved playing guitar especially with his MA Emmaus/Peace friends during their annual retreats. He also loved traveling to Puerto Rico, Portugal, and the Azores, especially Graciosa, with his mother and step-father Clemente.
He is survived by his beloved Mother and devoted caretaker, Alcinda Cunha of Lowell, his sister, Susie Carroll and her husband, Peter, of Dracut. In addition he is survived by his aunts and uncles: Mario Veiga of Lowell, Duarte and Leolinda Veiga, Joao Manuel and Audrey Veiga of Lowell, and Oriolando and Maria Conceicao Veiga of Hudson, NH.
Billy shared many happy memories growing up with his many cousins, Debbie, Nancy, Lisa, Jeffrey, Leslie, Amanda, Ashley, Tiffany, Andrew and Adrian. He is survived by these cousins and their families, as well as many cousins in the Azores; and numerous friends near and far.
He was predeceased by his father Manuel E. Cunha, his step-father Custodio Clemente DeSousa, his maternal grandparents Manuel Jose and Luzomira Veiga, his paternal grandparents Elisio and Ana Cunha, his godmother Natalia Veiga, his aunt and uncle Alexandrino and Iria de Fatima Cardoso.
All are welcome to attend his visitation and funeral. On Friday, March 13, his visiting hours will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA.
Please meet directly at the church on Saturday, March 14, for his funeral Mass offered at St Anthony Church at 12 p.m. with a procession to follow for burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury.