Benvindo Goncalves was born on May 30, 1943 in Brava, Cape Verde. He passed away on November 16, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.
Benvindo, also known as "nho Vico", was the son of the deceased Joao and Clarisse Goncalves. A man of great moral character and strong work ethic. He began his professional life and career at a very young age. At age fourteen, he was able to get his first job working for the island of Brava doing public work. He met his now wife, Idilia Goncalves when he was seventeen years old. Benvindo and Idilia would go on to have eight children (two boys and six girls). When he was twenty-five years old, he acquired a job as an "oil pumpman" on oil vessels. This career afforded him the opportunity to work and travel around the world. He used to often describe all the countries that he has visited. Countries such as Germany, Greece, and Russia etc. He spent thirty-two years of his life working on numerous oil vessels. He later moved with his wife and children to Pawtucket RI, where he retired from Rhode Island Textile. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. On any given day you would find him tending his garden or repairing things around the house. He enjoyed the company of his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a man loved and respected by many.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years Idilia Goncalves. As well as his children: Clarisse Pereira, Joao Goncalves, twins Benvinda and Benvindo Goncalves, Ilda G. Rodriguez, Arilza G. Worrell, Celeste Goncalves, Beliza Goncalves, and Nilton Goncalves. Twenty-four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and his three beloved sisters Tia Bia, Francelina, and Minguinha.
The loss of a person is never easy to accept but knowing who he was, he would want all his loved ones to celebrate his life. And like many of his voyages "boa viaje Du".
Relatives and Friends are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, November 21st in the Keefe Funeral Home, Lincoln from 2pm-5pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held directly at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Pawtucket on Monday, November, 22nd at 10am. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket.