Antonio Gomes

Antonio Gomes, “Bengala de Ouro” Antonio Gomes, our Father, “Dono” (Grandfather), “Tiotio” (uncle), Tonin de Prancha, Nho Tonin, Toninho, primo (cousin), amigo (friend), vecinho (neighbor) lived a full life and made a lasting impression on all who knew and loved him. We would do anything to help Dono because he did everything to help us when we were in need. Antonio was born on January 16, 1922 despite what is recorded. His beautiful mother, Claudina De Pina Gomes waited for two years for his father, Luis Gomes to return from the United States to Mira-Mira (São Lourenço), Fogo, Cabo Verde to register his birth in 1924. Antonio accomplished what few people ever do; he turned 100 years old and wanted everyone to celebrate with him. Antonio was an amazing son. He was so esteemed by his mother that she gave him the nickname, “Bengala de ouro” golden cane because Antonio was someone you could trust, count on and always lean on. His mother raised a handsome, intelligent, selfless, and kind gentleman. Antonio found the love of his life Maria Correia when they met at a Badjo (dance). As they were dancing, someone asked who is the beautiful flower that he has on his chest? From then on, Antonio had his sights on winning Maria’s heart. Antonio rode his black horse to Inhuco to where Maria lived and asked for water. He took some and used the rest to water the plants. When Maria asked why did he water her plants? Antonio replied, “So you can water my plants as well.” They fell deeply in love and got married on May 5, 1943. They settled in Inhuco, Fogo and quickly expanded their family with Claudina (Mama), Luis, Alberto, Ana, Domingo, and Antonio. Dono kept his promise that he would never leave Maria’s side. They were married for over 60 years. Antonio had a lifelong dream to come to the United States. In 1971 Antonio and Maria left for the US Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal to petition for a visa and came to the US. Luis, Domingos, Ana, and Antonio joined them in Boston, MA In 1972. They successfully brought all their children and grandchildren to Boston by 1978. In the 1980s, Antonio helped his brother, Americo, and his wife, Luisa, and all their children to come to the United States. Antonio fulfilled his dream and we are his legacy. Here only because Antonio had the foresight to take a risk and leave everything so that we can have an opportunity to dream and accomplish our goals. Thank you, Dono. Antonio was preceded in death by his wife Maria Correia Gomes, his daughter, Flora Pina Fernandes, his parents, Luis Gomes and Claudina De Pina Gomes, his brother, Americo Gomes and his wife, Luisa Barros Gomes, and his sister, Violanta Pina and many others. Antonio leaves his loving children, Claudina of Dorchester (MA), Luis and Analia Pina of Taunton (MA), Alberto and Maria Pina of Randolph (MA), Ana and Luis Fernandes of Orlando (FL), Domingos Correia of Revere (MA), and Antonio Correia and Maria Correia of Milton (MA) and loving family-friend Teresa Rosa of Roxbury (MA). Twenty-two grandchildren, Thirty-two great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many family and friends will miss Dono greatly. We will cherish our memories. Thank you for everything. We love you, Dono. Memories from Grandchildren “You often found Dono on summer days, catching the breeze on the back porch, while he relaxed, pondered and took stock of the world around him. He would chat with you about anything ranging from advice, lessons learned from the stories of others he knew or telling stories of how they grew up and that of past generations. And he was amazed how far life had come.” -Jonathan Correia “I went to visit Yaya in March 2011 and even though my mom (Ana) and your mom (Mama) and me were there he still wanted to cook and care for her. He was very selfless. I remember when he learned how to cook because he had to due to Yaya being sick and how he would tell me sometimes the food was not edible but he kept trying until he got it right.” -Annie Johnson “When my brothers and I would be volunteered by our father to do work at Dono’s house (and always notified at the very last moment), we would still happily go over, but then the real trouble would begin. He would want us to paint something or do a patch job or fix something, but Dono would bring us paint or materials that didn’t match at all and sat in his basement for years. We would tell him that we need to go get some new paint to match for example and that’s when he would tell us his famous words. If anyone has ever done any work or any errands for Dono they will know these words - “Ka meste sabe. Mi ki frabu pa faze.” We will always cherish the moments we got to spend with him doing work around the house or doing errands.” -Roger Pina “One of my best memories of Dono was whenever my brothers and I would visit him he would reach into his pockets pull out a handful of candies. My favorite one was the strawberry and my brothers were the caramel.” -Carla Veiga “I have many memories of Donu, the one that stands out the most is his generosity- I’m talking the cash money he would give after almost every visit! He would even give us money after being dropped off and driving him and Vovo crazy after watching us. This man would give us cash, the amount never mattered, but something we all looked forward too! As I became an adult, the money stopped, but I never stopped visiting him every time I was back home. He would share stories of our family and I started leaving his house just as happy, but now with silly photos, videos and family history. The sweet memories of lemon cookies, strawberry shortcake ice cream and Hood ice cream cups will always take me back to my childhood memories at Vovo and Donu’s house.” -Melissa Correia