Joao C. Dias, 77, of Wood Street, passed away on December 14, 2024, at Rhode Island Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born in St. Michael, Azores, he was the son of Pedro J. and Virginia (Perreira) Dias. He was the loving husband of Beatriz F. (Machado) Dias, having shared 54 years of marriage. 

Joao was educated in Portugal and served 2 years in Angola Military where he was stationed in Guinea, West Africa. After leaving the military, Joao came to America in 1971 and worked in Avon as a welder and later was employed by DaPonte’s Landscaping as a landscaper for 30 years before retiring. He was known by everyone who knew him as a wonderful, loving husband, father, and grandfather. He had many hobbies. One of them being was watching soccer and cheering on his favorite team Sporting FC. Joao loved his farm where he raised his dairy goats and enjoyed his many hunting trips. He also admired his show pigeons where he would show them twice a year at pigeon events and won many awards across New England. Joao always loved having a full house and having his friends and family over. But most importantly his love for his grandchildren was like no other.

In addition to his wife, Joao is survived by his son John Dias of Bristol and his fiancé Charlene Maiato, and his daughter Sandy (Dias) Vieira and her husband Mario Vieira of Rumford. As well as his four grandchildren Hayley (Dias) Lima, Kelsey Dias, Cloey Dias, and Tiffany Vieira; a great-grandchild of parents to be Hayley (Dias) Lima & Jose Lima; and siblings Serafina Pavao of Brampton, Canada, and Pedro Dias of Bristol. He was predeceased by his late brother Jose Dias, and his nephew Francisco Dias.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, December 20, 11 AM at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 577 Wood Street. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.