Manuel Vieira, age 91, of Taunton, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family.

Manuel was born on July 22, 1931, in Santa Barbara, Terceira, Azores to Jose de Sousa Vieira and Teresa de Lurdes Rocha. He grew up learning from his father how to tend to the land and raise livestock. He briefly served in the Portuguese military on the island of Sao Miguel and later returned to his home island and met his wife, Albertina. They married after a 3-year courtship and within 6 years had three beautiful daughters.

In order to give their daughters a life of opportunity, they decided the family should immigrate to the USA in 1967. His world was dedicated to providing for his family, eventually saving enough to buy a home. Using his learned skills from his childhood, he tended to his own vegetable garden and grapevines, always content with his yearly autumn harvests.

He was a simple man yet wise man who was full of Portuguese sayings with a dry sense of humor.  One of his frequent responses when asked how he was doing was “pretty good bem bom”.  He was respectful to everyone and kept his opinion to himself, always choosing to express himself wisely or with a big smile. Manuel was admired for his integrity and kindness. He found happiness in family, especially gathering around a meal and a glass of his homemade wine. It gave him such satisfaction filling the bellies of his loved ones with ingredients from his garden.

Manuel is survived by his wife of 63 years, Albertina do Carmo Vieira, his daughters; Tina Sousa-Vieira and her husband Luis Sousa, Teresa Vieira, Margaret Areias and her husband Roberto Areias, and by his grandchildren; Marc and his wife Bethany Freitas, Ashley and her partner Tricia Pendergast, Britany Freitas, Mason Freitas and his partner Julia Giaquinto, Seth Areias, Simon Areias, Paula S. Walsh and Michelle Sousa, and his great-grandchildren, Teddy, Henry, Kennedy and Odin. Aside from his children, he is survived by his younger brother Antonio Vieira and many nephews and nieces.  He was the brother of the late Jose Vieira, Luis Vieira and Maria L. Fagundes.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, August 8, 2022 from 4 to 7pm in the Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square) Taunton.

Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 9th at 10am in Annunciation of the Lord Church, First Street, Taunton.

Relative and friends may meet directly at church at 9:45am.

Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Taunton.

Flowers are welcome or in lieu of donations in his memory may be made to: Compassionate Care Hospice 100 Myles Standish Blvd. Taunton, MA 02780, who lovingly supported Manuel’s last year of life.

For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook or to light a memorial candle, visit www,silvafuneralhome.com.