Antonio Manuel Pereira Rosa

Antonio Manuel Pereira Rosa, born on June 14, 1938 in Evora de Alcobaca Portugal, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2024. Antonio was the beloved son of the late Manuel and Maria (Pereira) Rosa. He immigrated to the USA in 1967 and settled in Ludlow where he worked at Chapman Valve Co for many years and was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima Church.

Antonio’s early life on his family farm and vineyard shaped his work ethic as he would walk 4 miles to sell cherries at the market. In his military service, he proudly served as a Guard of Honour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Batalha Monastery in Portugal. Antonio met his wife Maria Gestrudes Rodrigues (pre-deceased Nov, 2023) in Portugal and they married in 1964. Together they built a life and raised 3 children, instilling values of integrity, compassion and perseverance. He took pride in his vegetable garden, growing some of the finest tomatoes and having one of the greenest lawns in his neighborhood. In his free time, he enjoyed playing Bocci and card games (especially Sueca) at the Gremio Lusitano Club. He was also a big fan of the Benfica soccer team.

Antonio is survived by his children; daughter Grace and her husband Paul Plourd of Haddam Neck, CT; his son Tony of Ludlow MA; daughter Sue and her husband Steve Robinson of Monson MA; and her cherished granddaughter Brielle Robinson of South Portland Maine. He also leaves his siblings Maria Lucas, Noemia Tereso, Manuel Rosa and his wife Katrina and Natalina Pereira and her husband Hilario. He also leaves behind his godson Tony Lucas; nephews Joe Lucas, Manny Lucas, Louie Rosa, Mark Rosa, Joe Tereso, Paul Tereso and Carlos Pereira and nieces Maria DosSantos, Isabel Tereso and Helena Pereira along with numerous nephews/nieces on his wife’s side.

Antonio will be remembered for his wit and “cheeky” comments, for his willingness and drive to brave the journey to another country to make a better life for his family. He will be forever remembered in our hearts.

Visiting hours for Antonio will be Friday, July 26, 2024 from 8:30-10:15 AM at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, 64 Sewall St., Ludlow, MA followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Church. Burial will be in St. Aloysius Cemetery, Berkshire Ave, Indian Orchard, MA.