José (Zeca) Bolivar Mendes Rosa of Middleboro, MA passed away peacefully at the age of 79 on Tuesday December 6, 2022, at home while surrounded by his family. Born on February 18, 1943, he is the son of the late Raúl Mendes Rosa and the late Antónia Barbosa Vasconcelos Rosa.
Born and raised in Fogo, Cabo Verde, he attended primary and secondary school in Fogo before immigrating to Angola and later to Portugal and the USA for work, to better provide for his young wife and children. José worked many jobs, sometimes 2 at a time never ever complaining so he could provide for his family. Whatever the job, he always performed it with pride and diligence often winning him praise. The generosity of José was his greatest strength which led him to not only provide for his immediate family but also provide for his parents, extended family, friends and to his many nieces and nephews. He enjoyed listening and dancing to mornas. He also enjoyed playing cards (bisca) with his late brother and his friends for hours and hours, always with a smile on his face as he tended to win often. The happiness of José was when he was together with all his family and extended family or running around with his grand-children and great-grandchildren.
Jose is survived by his wife Joaquina Rosa; children Eugenia Rosa, Iza Maria Rosa, and Raúl Antonio Rosa; his grandchildren Theonna, Zack, Cecilia, Ethan, Jake, Raúl Jr., and Jáquelina; and two great grandchildren Caisen and Luca.
Jose is also survived by his sister Teresa Rosa and several nieces and nephews, in addition to many cousins. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Alirio, Simão, Guilherme and Raúl. We will always love him and miss him dearly.