Hudson – Manuel da Silva Melo, a great man, 70, of Hudson, died unexpectedly at Marlborough Hospital Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014 while surrounded by his loving family.
Manuel was born in Sao Miguel, Acores, son of the late Manuel Correia Melo and Maria Teresa (Silva) Melo. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Maria Margarida (Botelho) Melo, and his children, Margaret Melo Sullivan and her husband Robert of Hudson, and Dorothy Forde and her husband Anthony of Clinton. Manuel was adored by his five grandchildren, Robert Sullivan III, Christopher Sullivan, Samantha Forde, Tiernan Forde, and Alexander Forde. He was the brother of Valdomira Machado of Sao Miguel, Acores and the late Maria Conceicao Oliveira of Fall River. Manuel also leaves his brother-in-law, Alfred Botelho of Hudson and godsons Matthew Botelho and his wife Ashley of Clinton and Ryan Botelho and his girlfriend Yvonne Muturi of Stoughton. He leaves his many nieces and nephews, as well.
Manuel joined the Portuguese Army in 1966 and served his time as sergeant in the War of Mozambique in Africa. He came to Hudson in 1970. He worked in construction for Kay Lock Co. of Boston from 1970 until his retirement in 2000. Manuel then became self-employed as a landscaper. Throughout the years, Manuel was always a hard worker and loyal employee, but most of all loved being with his grandchildren in the yard and garden.
He was a member of Saint Michael's Parish in Hudson since 1970 where he volunteered as an usher for over 35 years.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, Feb. 1 in Saint Michael's Church of Hudson, with burial in Saint Michael's Cemetery.
