Joao Manuel Sampaio

Joao Manuel Sampaio, age 69, of New Bedford, MA, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at his home. Born on September 20, 1955, in Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel, Azores, Joao was the beloved son of the late Angelo Raposo Sampaio and Maria Isabel. And he had two older sisters, the late Rosa Maria Sampaio Amaral and Isabel Angela Sampaio Amorim. 

Joao will be missed dearly by his nieces and family, Kelly (and Bill), Suzanne, Alyssa (and Mike) and his great nephew and nieces Benjamin, Katherine and Isabella and all his family and friends.

At the age of 21, he came to New Bedford and later became a painter in Cape Cod. In 1997, João retired. Joao was always telling jokes, pulling pranks and making people laugh. He would often refer to himself as Johnny Cash and loved music especially Air Supply and Tom Jones to name a few. He enjoyed cooking for the ones he loved, playing cards and gardening. He also loved watching his favourite soccer club Benfica play and enjoyed a cold Labatts Blue beer, a nice glass of red wine and a shot of Christian Brothers.

He would travel to Toronto, Canada every Christmas to celebrate with his family. He always wanted to go to Florida and so in 2017, he got the opportunity to visit Siesta Key, Sarasota and Orlando. He loved travelling back to his home country especially with his nieces and their families. Last summer, he went to Sao Miguel for the last time and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends there.

Joao’s visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Perry Funeral Home from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. His funeral will take place on Thursday 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 immediately follow in Rural Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Perry Funeral Home, located at 111 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford.