Obituary of John S. "Madeira" Figueira, Sr.

John S. “Madeira” Figueira, Sr. PEABODY—John S. “Madeira” Figueira, Sr., 83, beloved husband of the late Elvira (Raposo) Figueira, died Monday evening at the Pilgrim Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Peabody following a long illness. Born on the island of Madeira, he was the son of the late Manuel and Maria de Conceicao Figueira. He lived there for 32 years, then emigrated to the United States, settling in Peabody where he lived for the last 52 years. He was a United States Citizen. Mr. Figueira worked in the leather tanning field for several years, mostly with A.C. Lawrence Leather. He was employed with Eastman Kodak for years before his retirement. John was a very active citizen of Peabody, and involved with the Portuguese community and Our Lady of Fatima Church. He served as an Usher at Our Lady of Fatima, as a member of the Holy Ghost Society, the Club Luis de Camoes, and the Blessed Sacrament of New Bedford. He served in Angola with the Portuguese Army, and was a member of the Portuguese-American Vets Post in Peabody. Besides these activities, he was well-known for his interest in local politics and in his civic pride. He enjoyed helping people who needed rides around town, as an interpreter for Portuguese immigrants, and social gatherings of friends and family. He enjoyed playing Dominoes. He is survived by: a son and daughter-in-law, John & Silvana Figueira, Jr. of Beverly; a daughter and son-in-law, Linda & Emanuel Pereira of Peabody; four grandchildren, Ariana Figueira, Amanda Pereira, E.J. Pereira, and Anthony Pereira; a sister Alice Figueira of Hamilton, and he would acknowledge a sister Adelaide of Peabody, and several nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 to 8 P.M. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. His funeral will be held on Friday at 11 AM from the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 12 Noon in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Peabody, to which relatives and friends are kindly invited. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 31 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472