Joao Maria Candeias, 83, of West Hartford, beloved husband of the late Maria Alcina (Canto) Candeias, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023, with his family by his side after a long hard battle with cancer.

Born in Cuba, Portugal, to the late Maria das Daures and Francisco Antonio Candeias, Joao immigrated to the United States in 1966 along with his wife’s large family and settled in Hartford, CT. In Portugal he was a master craftsman with marble and masonry. In the United States, Joao became a master machinist.

Joao was devoted to his Portuguese heritage. He was a life member of the Hartford Portuguese Club, Newington, always ready to help the Portuguese community and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hartford. 

He was an avid Benfica soccer fan, he enjoyed cultivating his huge vegetable garden and fruit trees, he loved fishing. Most of all, he adored his family, they were his world.

Joao leaves behind his daughter and son-in-law, Maria Joao and Paul DeLucco; his son and daughter-in-law, Victor Manuel and Julie Candeias, all of Cromwell; two grandchildren, Michael and Alyssa DeLucco; several dear sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; his brothers and sisters in Portugal; numerous nieces and nephews and so many lifelong dear friends here.

Joao was beloved by all who met him, with his smile and sense of humor, he will be greatly missed by all.

Calling hours will be Friday, January 13, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hartford. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford.

Memorial donations may be made to the Portuguese Club of Hartford, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hartford or to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com