Port Richey, Fla. – Joao J. Melo, 53, formerly of Hudson, died Tuesday June 28, 2011, at UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Natercia (Soares) Melo of Port Richey, Fla.Born and raised in Santa Maria, the Azores, Portugal, the son of Victorino Melo and Rita Freitas Melo of Hudson, he moved from Portugal to Hudson at age 16 and resided in Hudson for many years until moving to Port Richey 19 years ago.
Mr. Melo was a member of Saint Michael's Parish in Hudson and a member, past president and past vice president of the Portuguese American Association (PACA) in Port Richey. He was well known to his friends for his talent at repairing cars, which he enjoyed as a hobby. He was a former laborer in construction by trade.
Besides his wife and parents, he is survived by his son, Jason Melo of Port Richey; his daughter, Denise Melo of Hudson; and his step-son, Claudio Vieira of Worcester. He is also survived by his five sisters, Ines Cabral, Amie Carreon, Aida Chaves, Angela Masters and Maria Stevens; his three brothers, Jose Melo, David Melo and Fernando Melo; and his many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was the brother of the late Maria Jose Simonds.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday July 1, at 9 a.m., in Saint Michael's Church, 21 Manning St., Hudson. Burial will follow in Saint Michael's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Thursday June 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home of Hudson. For online concolences, please visit www.tighehamilton.com.
