Joao "Manny" Amaral

Joao “Manny” Amaral, 47, of New Bedford passed away Friday, August 30, 2019 in Massachusetts General Hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Christine (Moniz) Amaral and loving father of Sophia whom he was very proud of.

Born in New Bedford, a son of Manuel E. and Clotilde (Cardoso) Amaral he grew up in St. Michael before coming back to the United States at the age of 21. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church.

Manny worked for Quaker Fabric when he first came back to America. He later worked at Robert Haines Landscaping and Construction and most recently as a foreman for Martin Lucyk Landscape Construction.

Manny loved sports and was a huge fan of the Sporting Penguins, Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics. He admired smart people. He was hard working, fun loving, good hearted, and kind. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. Manny was happiest when being social with those around him. He truly enjoyed life.

Shortly before he passed, he told his family, “enjoy life and be happy. I don’t want anyone to cry knowing I am in peace”.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by; a sister, Irene deAmaral of New Bedford; and his in-laws, Alvaro and Zoraida Moniz of Acushnet.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 4256 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, New Bedford. Visitation will be Thursday 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford. For online tribute/directions www.rock-funeralhome.com.