José Batista Gomes

Our wonderful querido Husband, Papa & Vovó passed away suddenly on May 31, 2023, after a beautiful morning of fishing on the calm waters of Buzzards Bay with his great friend. He was 82 years young. Batista felt unwell and was brought home and then to the hospital thereafter. He was surrounded by his loving family as he passed from this world into eternal peace. Batista was born and raised in Flores, Açores where his love of the outdoors, the ocean, fishing, and gardening blossomed, and where he met his “Amor and Querida”, his loving wife, Maria Encarnação. On the island, Batista and Encarnação built a beautiful life with many good friends and memories. He was a hard-working open boat whaler in the Açores, and told many wonderful and brave stories of his days at sea and the dangers of whaling. Also on the island of Flores, they happily welcomed their son, Francisco “Frank”, and daughter, Ana Paula.

In 1977, Batista and Encarnação immigrated to the United States, where they worked different jobs to provide for their family. He always wanted to provide “para os pequenos” (his kids). Never fancy or exciting jobs, but always enough to provide his family with beautiful memories and stories, and always more than plenty at each meal and every holiday. He was always a kind, giving, and generous man, and would always share his fruits of labor with family and friends, and would always, ALWAYS serve the kids before himself. He taught us daily examples of being a good human.

His son Frank very much enjoyed fishing with his “Pai” - Batista taught him everything about fishing and landscaping. He was so proud of his daughter Ana Paula - they had a wonderful relationship of love and respect. They shared their adoration of the ocean and the outdoors and delighted in their shared silly stories and memories. In 2002, Ana Paula & her husband Joe, married. Joe became like a son to Batista, and Batista became a Dad to Joe. They shared many jokes, fishing tales, and antics. Through the years, they built a loving relationship of trust, respect, and gratitude. With the wedding came another blessing - Joe's mom, Maria became like a sister. And Dan, Joe's brother, became like another son to Batista. Both Dan and Maria added numerous laughs, joys, good conversation and great memories. In 2007, his wonderful son, Frank passed away from a courageous battle with cancer. Batista lifted and carried the family through their heartache and grief. His strong, solid hands embraced his family.

Later, from the Heavens, came his beautiful “babies”, as he called them. Nina - “My Girl”,  and Lucas “My Boy”. “My kids” - his pure pride and joy - his eyes would light up with their stories, jokes, and shenanigans. He was “vovó” to them - vovó would sneak them snacks and treats, always chuckling with delight as they gratefully accepted. Many days, they would share Oreos, Fudge Stripe cookies or chocolate ice cream - all three of them sharing joy in a beautiful moment. Vovo would also frequently be found with “his kids”, chatting outside, playing soccer with them or just watching silly videos and making goofy faces - adoring and cherishing every moment with them.

Batista also found great pleasure in teaching the younger generations how to feed a fishing line, where his favorite fishing spots were, how to transplant trees, and how to prune flowers and tend to his garden and grapevine. He also loved going for walks with his adoring wife during the day, and then relaxing in the evenings, sipping “un Caféziñho”. Batista, however, would stop everything at an invitation to the kids' games, or a day fishing. He especially enjoyed Sunday family dinners surrounded by delicious foods, laughs and love. Batista was a good man - he still received weekly calls from his childhood friends on the island. 

Every year, Batista would return to his home island of Flores, where he would enjoy his family home, wonderful fresh fruits, and enjoy the peace of the surrounding beauty of the Açores. He would enjoy reconnecting with “A Mosca do verão” (his childhood friends would reunite on the island and enjoy each others company). His most adored times were the delicious, fresh meals of fish and potatoes that he and Encarnação would make of their crops and freshly caught “Vejas” that Batista would skillfully catch from the beautiful Açorean oceans. He will forever be remembered as a loving, kind, gentle, strong, and hardworking man. We will always remember the glint in his eyes as he told his many stories of life. Batista has taught us how to live a full life and how to embrace everything that makes life beautiful. We will carry forth as he would want us to. His memory will always make us smile. And we will forever be grateful for the wonderful life that he provided to all of us and the many joys that he gave us.

Visiting Hours will be held at the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park Street (Rt. 27), Stoughton, on Tuesday, June 6th from 5-7 PM. Funeral Mass will be held the next day, Wednesday June 7th at the Immaculate Conception Church in Stoughton at 10:30 AM. The family will be gathering privately the morning of the funeral, and kindly asks that you meet them directly at the church. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetetery in Stoughton.