Joao Aurelio Aguiar, 86, a longtime Lowell resident, passed away after a brief illness at Lahey Clinic in Burlington. He was the widower of the late Fatima (Silva) Aguiar who passed away in 2024 after 56 years of marriage.
He was born on December 7, 1939, in Terceira, Acores, Portugal, a son of the late Joao Borges Aguiar and the late Margarida Toste (Nunes) Aguiar, he was raised and educated in the Acores and served in the Portuguese military. He came to the United States in 1973, settling in Lowell where he made his lifelong home.
Upon arriving in Lowell, he got right to work as the foreman in the shipping department of Prince Macaroni until it closed in 1997. He worked for 5 years at Joan Fabrics as a machine operator until his retirement in 2002.
Joao was a communicant of St. Anthony Church in Lowell and was a member of the Portuguese American Civic League, the Portuguese American Center, the Holy Ghost Society, and Irmandade da Santissima Trindade.
He loved his family dearly, especially his children and grandchildren. He also loved to visit the casino and to play cards. He was a big soccer fan and always supported his team, S.L. Benfica. He will be remembered as a friend and mentor to a close circle of friends and last but not least, he cherished his beloved grand dog, Toby.
He is survived by his 3 daughters, Margarida Silva and her husband, Norbert, of Lowell, Carmen Aguiar of Lowell, and Julie Picanco and her husband, Alvin, of Nashua, NH, and his grandchildren, Krystal Silva of Lowell, Eric Picanco of Nashua, and Isabel Picanco of Nashua.
He is also survived by his four siblings, Mateus Aguiar and his wife, Lisilda of Terceira, Maria Leonilde Aguiar of Derry, NH, Margarida Ines Pontes and her husband, Antonio of Canada, Nazare (Aguiar) Mendes and her husband, Francisco of Terceira; brother-in-law of Conceicao Silva of Terceira, Dorotheia Rosa and her husband, Jose of Canada, Ines Evangelista and her husband, Joao of Brazil, Francisco Silva and his wife, Neusa of Brazil, Manuel Silva and his wife, Maria of Terceira, Joao Silva and his wife, Lurdes of Canada, Mateus Silva and his wife, Fernanda of Terceira; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was welcomed into heaven by his granddaughter the late Jessica Torres; his brother the late Luis Aguiar and his wife the late Nelia Aguiar; his brother-in-law the late Joao Aguiar; and his brother-in-law of the late Jose Silva.
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, all are welcome to attend his calling hours from 8-10 a.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell 978-458-6816.
His funeral mass will be offered at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Church in Lowell, followed by burial at St. Patrick Cemetery.