Carlos A. Graca

New Bedford - Carlos A. Graça, age 70, of New Bedford, MA passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at home with his loving family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Maria Gorete (Esgueirão) Graça, with whom he had shared 50 years of marriage.

He was born in Costa Nova do Prado, Portugal. At 12 years old, he began his love for fishing and later served in the Armed Forces of Portugal. He immigrated to the United States in 1980 with his spouse and daughters. 

He worked as a fisherman for many years on various boats in New Bedford until his retirement in 2002. 

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of fishing, tending to his fruit trees, and his wonderful fish dishes. His smile was infectious and he lived life to the fullest. He was happiest when spending time with his family, playing cards and his vacations in Portugal. His daughters had just surprised Carlos and Gorete for their 50th wedding anniversary with a beautiful celebration in Portugal surrounded by family and friends.

Carlos was a fighter and never gave up. He faced many health challenges head-on, defied the odds, and persevered through difficult situations. Aside from these battles, he lived a great life and was enjoying his retirement until his most recent and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer that began this January. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Maria Gorete Graça; daughter, Elsa Sonia Graça and her companion Scott Vicente; daughter Carla Mourao and her husband Steven Mourao; grandchildren, Brandon Fernandes and his wife Lauren (Soares) Fernandes, Nikko Morris, Nicholas Mourao and Ava Mourao; as well as his great-grandchild, Sylvia Fernandes. He was predeceased by his father, João Ascensão da Graça. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can kindly be made to the Carlos Graça Fishermen's Memorial Fund, 123 Keene Road, Acushnet, MA 02743. 

Carlos's visiting hours will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025 at Perry Funeral Home from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. His funeral will take place Tuesday morning, beginning in the funeral home at 10:30 A.M. and followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 11:30 A.M. Burial will take place in Portugal.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford.