Joseph S. Avila Obituary
Joseph S. Avila, 91, of Gloucester, husband of Maria L. (Morais) Avila, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Joe was born in Santo Amaro, Pico, Acores on December 28, 1931, son of the late Antonio and Rosa (Avila) Santos. He immigrated to Gloucester, MA with his wife and two children in 1967. When he first came to Gloucster he spent many years as a chef at various local restaurants. Joe worked for fifteen years as a machinist at Gloucester Engineering. While employed at Gloucester Engineering, he started a landscaping business. This became his full-time employment after retiring. He dedicated more than 25 years growing his business and took great pride in keeping his customers' yards beautifully landscaped.
He enjoyed staying at home relaxing or working in his tomato and flower gardens. He was a member of Our Lady of Good Voyage Church and helped with preparing the meals for the Crowning ceremonies.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Joseph is survived by his wife of 61 years, Maria L. Avila; daughter, Rosa DeWolfe and her husband Scott of Ohio; sons, Louis Avila and his wife Erin of Gloucester, John Avila and his wife Korey of Peabody, Peter Avila and his wife Tiffany of Beverly. He also leaves behind his ten grandchildren, Emily Avila and partner Brian Doyle, Joseph Avila and fiance Jessica Reis, Abigail Avila, Julia Avila, Sara DeWolfe, Benjamin DeWolfe, Andrew Avila, Lilia Avila, Ashley Avila, Isabel Avila and his two great-grandsons, Owen, and Cole Doyle.
Along with his wife, children, and grandchildren he leaves behind his sister-in-law, Maria Goncalves and her husband Joseph, brothers-in-law, Herberto Morais and his wife Leocadia, Luis Morais and his wife Helena and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his only sister, Leontina Terra and her husband Luis Terra, brother-in-law, Joseph Morais and his wife Madelena, and nephew, Luis Morais Jr.
Visiting hours in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester will be held on Thursday, April 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. The burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his name to Friends of Seacoast, P.O. Box 1587, Gloucester, MA 01931.
