Manuel D. Dias
LOWELL Manuel D. Dias, 85, of Lowell, died Thursday, August 27, 2009, at Radius Northwood Health Care Center after a long illness. He was the widower of the late Rosa (Livramento) Dias, who died in 2006.
Born December 20, 1923, in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, he was a son of the late Hipolito DaCunha Dias and the late Rosa (Silva) Dias, and was educated in that area. While in Portugal, he worked as a stone crafter in a quarry, married, and started raising his family, moving them to Terciera. On July 14, 1963, he brought his family to the United States settling in Lowell, where he made his home in the Back Central Street Neighborhood.
A communicant of St. Anthony’s Church, Mr. Dias was very involved in the Portuguese Community, especially enjoying the various Feasts throughout the year. He was a member of the Portuguese American Club and the Holy Ghost Society, and also enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking, but most of all was an avid fan of the Portuguese Porto Soccer Team, and he was a strong supporter of the Blue's Soccer Teams.
He worked for Brox, Commodore Foods, Byfield Felt, and more recently worked for Interstate Container retiring twenty three years ago. He was also a member of the PACE Union.
He is survived by his son, Manuel Dias and his wife, Cheryl, of Westford; his daughter in law, Diane Dias of Tyngsboro; six grandchildren, Matt Dias of Cincinatti, Allison Hapenney and her husband, James, of Methuen, Jeff Dias of Concord, NH, Kayla Dias and Emily Dias both of Westford and Cathy Merrifield of Nashua, NH; five great grandchildren, Andrew, Julie, Tori, and Allison Merrifield all of Nashua, NH, and Ava Hapenney of Methuen; his brothers and sisters, Mary Sousa of Lowell, Lina Melo and her husband, Andre, of Graciosa, Valquirio Dias and his wife, Theresa Dias, of Dracut, two sisters in law, Dorothy Dias of Lowell, Cecilia Dias of Dracut; and many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law, and friends.
He was also the father of the late Leonel Dias who died May 7, 2004, and brother of the late Jose C. Dias who died August 10, 2009, and brother in law of the late Antonio DeSousa who died August 8, 2009.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 3 UNTIL 7 P.M. ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 30. ON MONDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 8 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. ANTHONY’S CHURCH AT 9 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY. DONATIONS IN HIS NAME TO HOLY GHOST SOCIETY, 65 VILLAGE ST., LOWELL MA 01852. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
