Obituary of Manuel S. Bettencourt

Manuel S. Bettencourt, 75, of Peabody, died peacefully with his family by his side at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers following a long illness. Born in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, he was the son of the late Jose C. and Ana S. (Ramos) Bettencourt. He was raised and educated in Portugal and later immigrated to the United States and has lived in Peabody for the past 51 years. Manuel was employed with various companies on the North Shore and retired from the Maintenance Department of the Peabody Public Schools after several years of employment with the city. Manuel was active in the community he lived and was very active within the Portuguese Community. He was a founding father of the Holy Ghost Society, past president of Our Lady of Fatima Church and the Portuguese Marching Band. He loved the game of soccer and was a huge fan of Benfica. He also loved to cook, especially for his family and friends and enjoyed organization many feasts with a big spread of Portuguese food for the Holy Ghost Society. Manuel is survived by his son, Joseph Bettencourt of Peabody, his daughter and son-in-law, Manuela and Kenneth Santos of Tewksbury, his brother, Arthur and his wife Ann Bettencourt of Peabody, his sister, Soledade Picanco of Peabody and by his beloved six grandchildren, Kurt and Celina Santos, and Jeffrey, Brian, David, and Daniel Bettencourt, his greatgrandchild, Andre Bettencourt and by several nieces and nephews. His was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Manuel C. Picanco. His funeral will be held on Saturday at 8:00 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody followed by his Funeral Mass at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Walsh Ave, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.