Jose B. Amaral

Jose B. Amaral, age 88 of Seabrook Drive, East Providence, passed away from COVID-19 complications on November 11, 2020 at Silver Creek Manor, Bristol, RI.

He was the beloved husband of Deolinda (Braga) Amaral. Son of the late António Coelho Amaral and Maria da Conceição Bairos of Santa Maria, Azores.

Jose was born in Santa Maria. He was a Portuguese military veteran and had a career as a Forest Ranger in Santa Maria. After emigrating to the U.S. in 1973, he worked for 17 years at the American Insulated Wire Co. and 10 years for the East Providence School Department. He was a skilled-gardener, a passion which he cherished throughout his life. He also enjoyed sharing his homemade wine with family and friends.

He was a loving and caring person devoted to his family and always made time to lend a hand to others. Jose was a founding member of the Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense organization where he dedicated most of his free time. He was the first Imperador in 1986 and again in 2005.

Besides his beloved wife Deolinda of over 64 years, he is survived by his loving children; Joe Amaral and wife Berta of Johnston, RI, John Amaral and wife Ana M. of Fort Myers, FL, M. Celeste Amaral and husband Donald Bigelow of Eaton, NY, Antonio Amaral and wife Juvenalia, Matilde Amaral, and Margarida Saunders and husband Mark, all of East Providence. He was Grandfather to Melissa, David, Amy, Bryan, Michelle, Patrick, Daniel, Rebecca and the late Peter Saunders. He was Great-Grandfather to Skyler, Maya, Alex, Lillian, Rose and Brady.

He is survived by his sister Rita Freitas of Montreal, Canada. He is predeceased by his siblings Maria Bairos and Manuel Amaral of Montreal, Antonio Amaral of S. Miguel and João Amaral of Santa Maria.

The family expresses their sincerest appreciation to the staff at Silver Creek Manor for over two years of friendly and compassionate service bestowed on Jose.

Due to the increased COVID-19 cases, the family respectfully requests those in attendance to refrain from physical contact and offers their sincerest understanding to those who cannot attend. The funeral mass will be live-streamed.

An hour of visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 9:00AM in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 21 Traverse Street, Providence followed with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM. Burial will be private. Please omit flowers. Contributions in Jose’s memory may be made to the Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense “HGBM” in benefit of the Scholarship Fund, 846 Broadway, East Providence, RI 02914.

Per Covid-19 Guidelines of the RI Department of Health, masks and social distancing are required.