Edward R. (Bob) Gonsalves 74, of South Dennis, MA passed away peacefully on Monday, May 4, 2020 with his wife (Pat), daughter (Lisa) and grandson (Dereck) by his side, at Mass General Hospital after a short battle with Covid-19. Bob was the son of the late Edward Gonsalves and Dominga Bella Gonsalves. He grew up in New Bedford attending New Bedford schools. He also lived on Nantucket when his mother returned there to be with family.
Bob started his family at a young age so he had to start earning a living which he did as a cook. He worked in many restaurants all over including Boston. Bob also worked on a ship as an ordinary Seaman and worked for the Steamship Authority for several years and served as a chief steward. He sailed as a cook on several United States line ships, including the giant United States. For four years, Bob served as a sous chef at the Opera House on Nantucket. After many years of learning the trade and hard work he would become known as Chef Bob and owned his own restaurant on Nantucket called the “Sandpiper”.
Bob had a big interest in acting and during high school he did a good deal of acting with the high school drama club. He continued his interest in acting by joining local theaters both in New Bedford and on Nantucket.
Bob’s interests were wide-ranging. He was an active and skillful photographer, with a collection of cameras. He also enjoyed writing, both short stories and poems, some in Spanish, a language he said he found most expressive for his themes. Knowledgeable as well about music, Bob wrote reviews and essays on the musical scene for a small New Bedford paper.
Bob and Pat married in 2001 and resided in South Dennis in Pat’s home. He loved settling down and enjoyed having a home and yard that he could make his own. Then came fishing. Bob loved to go fishing especially with his grandsons and great grandsons. After completing his days as Chef Bob, he would regularly go out on his boat and fish for bass. He had several fishing poles because just one or two or three wasn’t enough. He would always have a camera or two or three and would take lots of pictures of the fish they caught.
Bob was proud of his Cape Verdean heritage. He had a very friendly personality and made friends wherever he travelled. He would speak to anyone and everyone and before you knew it he had yet another friend.
Bob will be missed by all who knew him, especially his wife, Pat Sylvia-Gonsalves of South Dennis, step-son Jeffrey Sylvia (Kate) of Centerville, daughters Lisa Gonsalves of Dartmouth and Sherri Monteiro of New Bedford. His grandsons, Dereck Gonsalves of Dartmouth and Trevor Rose of New Bedford, Troy Monteiro of New Bedford and Michael Monteiro of CA. He leaves several great grandchildren that will also miss him. Bob leaves behind his sisters: Pam Soars of Acushnet, Diane Addison of Newport, RI, Lola Paulette, Nadine Gonsalves and Toni Leighton all of New Bedford, and his brothers: Joseph Lopes of FL and David Gonsalves of New Bedford. Bob is predeceased by his sisters Karen and Robin Gonsalves. He will also be missed by his best friend, Laurence Gomes of New Bedford and Ralph & Rose Leudekers, whom Bob referred to as Uncle Ralph & Aunt Rose. Bob, Pat, Ralph and Rose took many road trips that Bob enjoyed so much.
There will be a viewing held at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home located at 729 Route 134, South Dennis, MA on Sunday, May 10, 2020 from 4pm to 6pm. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and local stay at home orders, face masks will be required and social distancing will be enforced with a maximum of 10 people allowed in the funeral home at a time.
A burial service will be held on Monday, May 11, 2020 at 11:00 am at the Oakridge Cemetery, Route 134 in South Dennis, MA.
In lieu of flowers, any donation in Edward’s name may be made to a charity of your choice.
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