Antonio Luis Pavao

Antonio Luis Pavao, 79, of Fall River, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025. He was the loving husband of Maria Regina (Dutra) Pavao.

Antonio was born in Mosteiros, São Miguel, and moved to Faial at the age of 16 before marrying and immigrating to the United States in 1969. He began working for the Capone Brothers as a laborer, a position he held for 42 years. Everyone who knew him will remember his love of hard work; even after retirement, you could find him spending his days working in his children’s yards. He loved landscaping, gardening, and adding color through flowers and plants wherever he could.

Outside of work, he spent his time fishing, watching soccer, and most often completing word searches. More than anything, Antonio’s pride and joy were his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was never happier than when he was surrounded by family. With his wife, he enjoyed days at the beach catching lapas and periwinkles, attending Portuguese festivals, and going out to dinner. He never missed a chance to be with his grandchildren and celebrate them, whether at a soccer game, dance recital, graduation, or anything in between.

Antonio was known by all as a kind, caring, and generous man who gave to everyone he could. He never passed on the opportunity to help others, and he did it all with a humble heart. He leaves behind a legacy of love, humility, and quiet strength. His unwavering dedication to his family, his generous spirit, and the beauty he brought to the world through both his gardens and his actions, will continue to bloom in the lives of those who loved him. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Besides his wife, Antonio is survived by his children, Sonia Tavares (husband Richard G. Tavares), and Adalberto Pavao (Fiancée Deanna Ferguson); his grandchildren, Emerson Tavares, Hayden Pavao, and Olivia Pavao; and his siblings, Luis Pavao (late wife Julieta Pavao), and Gilda Pavao (late husband Joao Luis Pavao).

He was the son of the late Luis and Maria Caetana Pavao, and brother of the late Manuel Pavao (late wife Odelia Pavao), and Maria Da Luz Machado (late husband Joao Machado).

Visitation will be held Friday, June 20, from 7:30 AM to 9:15 AM at the Auclair Funeral Home, 690 South Main St. Fall River with a Funeral Mass at Holy Name Church at 10:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Jimmy Fund or to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.