Manuel Jose Almeida

Manuel was born on February 12, 1950, in Videmonte, Guarda, Portugal. It was there that he met the love of his life, Maria. Their bond was rooted in family, tradition, and enduring values. In 1983, Manuel immigrated to the United States, joining Maria, who had already been living here. He initially resided in the Ironbound section of Newark before settling in Hillside, New Jersey, in 2003, where he made his home and became part of a close-knit community.

A hardworking and devoted family man, Manuel held various jobs throughout his life, including factory work, employment at a local fish market, and working as a laborer with Local 472 for 20 years. He was known for his strong will and traditional values—stubborn at times, yet deeply endearing—and he always placed his family above all else.

Manuel was a passionate supporter of Benfica and greatly enjoyed vacationing in Portugal. He found joy in life’s simple routines, especially his morning coffee and daily walks across the Bloy Street Bridge. As he often said, “Coffee is always better at the coffee shop.” These moments, shared with friends and familiar faces, were among his greatest pleasures.

Manuel is survived by his beloved wife, Maria (Dos Anjos Pina Morais) Almeida; his children, Susana Graca and Nelson Almeida; his son-in-law, Helio Graca; his daughter-in-law, Tatiana Almeida; and his cherished grandchildren, Mikael, Victoria, and Evan. He is also survived by his brother, Joaquim de Cuna Almeida; his sister, Adelina Almeida Costa; and many nieces, nephews, dear friends, and his treasured “coffee mates.”

Manuel José Almeida will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, his love of tradition, and the quiet routines that brought meaning to his days. His presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held at McCracken Funeral Home, located at 1500 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083, on January 20, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A religious ceremony will take place at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church, located at 403 Spring St, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, on January 21, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Lung Association https://action.lung.org/site/Donation2?df_id=46858&mfc_pref=T&46858.donation=form1&topic=None or the American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/why-give?s_src=26D511AEMG&s_subsrc=fy26_sem_google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=dr_fy26_sitelink&utm_source=google&utm_content=161056132313&utm_term=american%20heart%20association&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19652355320&gbraid=0AAAAADfYbP4ljIDQnbhGvMNDhcNlQEBYk&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr_GLlO-QkgMVXkn_AR0pbibkEAAYASABEgKGa_D_BwE