Jose Heleno Brito "Josezinho" Pontes

PONTES, Jose Heleno Brito of Roxbury, died August 28, 2021.

Beloved husband of Flavia Gomes DePina Pontes.

Loving and devoted father of Judi Fernandes and her husband Domingos Fernandes of California, Maria DaRosa and her husband Gabriel DaRosa of Roxbury, Teresa Maria Barros and her husband Pedro Barros of Dorchester, Maria Teresa Pontes of Boston, Jose Elisbão Pontes and his wife Maria "Luta" Pontes of Holbrook, Ildeberto "Bert" Pontes of Boston, Docelina "Darcy" Pontes of Weston, Crisolita Pontes-Alves and her husband Jean Alves of South Easton, Jose "Joe" Pontes and his wife Renee Sylvestro of Roxbury, Kelby Pontes and his wife Aurora Xavier of Dorchester, Rosa "Tina" Pontes of Braintree, and the late Jose Amançinho Pontes, Leocadio Pontes, and Diogenes Pontes.

He is survived by his loving sister Josefina Brito Pontes Teixeira of Dorchester. He is pre-deceased by the late Casimiro (Tola) Timas, John Brito Pontes, Rosa (Mama) Brito Pontes, Ana Brito Pontes, Hipólito Brito Pontes, Domenica Brito Pontes DePina, Pedro Brito Pontes, Olivia Brito Pontes DePina, Ricardina Ledo Pontes, and Maria Emilia Pontes Fernandes.

Jose is also survived by 31 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom he loved very much.

Jose Heleno Brito Pontes, known as Josezinho de Code or Djidjinho, was born in Fogo, Cabo Verde on May 25, 1932 to Jose Brito Pontes and Teresa "Iaia" de Jesus Barbosa. He met the love of his life, Flavia "Mama" Gomes DePina and they were united and started a family. Josezinho emigrated to the United States in 1966, and a year later he was able to make arrangements to have his wife and children join him in Boston. Over the next few years, they continued to grow their family with the addition of another son and a daughter, bringing the total number of children to 14 (7 sons and 7 daughters).

Josezinho lived his life with faith and family at the forefront, and he instilled these values in his family. He was a devoted and loving husband and an exceptional father. He prioritized his family above everything and was happiest when his they (50+) gathered in his home every Sunday and on holidays. He especially loved when others dropped in unexpectedly and he went out of his way to make each one feel like they were his special guest.

Josezinho was a man of faith and an active member of his church, Sao Lourenço, in Fogo. When he arrived in Boston, he became a member of Saint Patrick's Church attending the Spanish service every Sunday with his family. As the number of Capeverdean parish members grew, Josezinho took the initiative to start a petition to request that a Portuguese-speaking priest be sent from Cape Verde to serve the growing Capeverdean community. In 1970, his request was honored and Padre Celestino Poetto arrived in Boston. Josezinho was the pioneer of the Capeverdean catholic community which started in Massachusetts, and later expanded to other New England States.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jose's life by gathering for visiting hours at St. Patrick Church, 400 Dudley Street, Roxbury on Friday, September 3, 2021 from 5-8 P.M.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 4th at 10 A.M.

Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, Roslindale.