Joao Goncalves Ferreira

João Goncalves Ferreira passed away peacefully on March 20, 2024 surrounded by family. João is survived by Maria Teodora, his wife of 56 years; son Moises and daughter-in-law LeaAnne, son John and daughter-in-law Patti and daughter Monica. He is also survived by granddaughters Ali, Mary, Brigitte, Layla, Navarra and Madeline and great-granddaughters Lisa and Lili. His last surviving sibling, Lionel lives in Tulare, California.

João was born in Angra de Heroismo in the Azorean island of Terceira, Portugal. João’s mother and father died early in his life and his childhood quickly turned to adult responsibilities tending to working the fields and taking care of farm animals with his brothers. João had four brothers and two sisters.

João moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1955 and worked as a butcher at a local shop. Later, Maria moved there with the rest of her family. João and Teodora married in 1968. Moises was born in 1969, John was born in 1970, and Monica was born in 1974. In 1975, João and his family moved to California where João worked at dairy farms in the San Joaquin Valley.

João and the family moved to Santa Clara in 1979 where he worked until he physically could no longer provide for the family, finally moving to San Jose in 2001. João was always teaching his sons and daughter many skills. He was happily married for 56 years to Maria Teodora until the time of his passing.

João always would say goodbye by saying, “Peace, Love, and health be with you.”

Services for João will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am followed by a Rosary at 10:00 am at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 North Winchester Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95050. Interment will be at 1:00 pm at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

On this day, we all will say goodbye to him with the blessings of the Lord for the peace and love he always wished for all of us.

“Muita paz, muita saúde e muita sorte.

Deus ajuda nós todos!”

“Much peace, much health and much luck. God helps us all.”