Francisco Almeida

Francisco "Lopes" Almeida, 95, of Dorchester passed away at home surrounded by his family on November 25, 2023.

Francisco Almeida was born in Sao Nicolau, Cabo Verde on December 18, 1927 to Jose Eugenio Lopes and Joana Arcangela Almeida. He attended school locally and excelled in history, geography and languages. In the early 1950s, Francisco relocated to Sal, Cabo Verde where he obtained a position with the Direcção Geral Aeronáutica Civil do Aeroporto do Sal as a fireman where he worked for 10 years earning a reputation as a hard worker and well-respected colleague before marrying his beloved wife Francisca Gomes Almeida on June 15, 1963 and emigrated from Cabo Verde to America shortly thereafter. After settling in Boston, Massachusetts he worked as a machine operator at American Biltrite in Cambridge for 16 years before transitioning to Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plain from which he retired in 1993.

An avid sports enthusiast, Francisco was a devoted Boston Bruins and Benfica fan. As a young man, he loved swimming, playing football, boxing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle which contributed to keeping him fit and active throughout his entire life, exercising and lifting weights well into his 80s. Everyone who knew Francisco knew that he was a legendary storyteller and loved making people laugh. He was a lover of music, especially morna and always enjoyed a good game of bisca. Oftentimes, you could find him outside caring for his garden which included an orange tree, grapes and tomatoes or on his way to or from the corner store with a handful of lottery and scratch tickets. Most of all, his favorite pastime was spending time with his family and he particularly treasured his role as a grandparent. He adored spending time with his grandchildren and was proud to be their Papai.

Francisco was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Eugenio and Joana Arcangela, and brothers Pedro, Antonio and Baltazar. He is survived by his adoring wife of 60 years Francisca, his children Pedro and Maria of Dorchester, Americo and Vanda of Brockton, Joana and Amancio of Dorchester, Henrique and Dica of New Bedford, Maria Jesus and Jorge of Praia, Carlos and Linda of Taunton, Maria Fatima of Taunton, Raimundo and Stacey of Roslindale, Nilza of Dorchester, Rudy of Dorchester, 30 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, sisters Julia, Maria Jose, Margarida, Elizabeth, Zilda, Belarmina, brothers Nicolau and Manuel, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends and other loved ones.

His memory will live on forever in our hearts.