Jose Goncalves

Click here for Jose's Wake and Funeral Service

Jose Antonio Goncalves, 93, of Orient, SD passed away Monday, March 21, 2022 at Bickford Cottage in Sioux City, IA.

Funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 28, 2022 at St. Liborius Catholic Church, Polo, with Fr. Randy Phillips presiding. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Polo. A wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 27, 2022 at the church with visitation one-hour prior.

Jose Antonio Goncalves was born October 29, 1928 to Joao Antonio Goncalves and Maria Serafina (Oliveria) Goncalves in Topo, Sao Jorge, Acores. 

On September 27, 1965, he married the love of his life, Maria Natalia Silveira.  To this union they welcomed two children. They settled in Topo, where he farmed for the first two years of their marriage.  He then moved to Cabo the Praia, Terceira, Acores to be closer to his parents.  He farmed and milked his own cows there.

On April 25, 1974, Jose immigrated to the United States with his family.  He settled in the Central Valley of California, where he milked cows for a while and later did landscaping for numerous years.  He was an avid gardener who truly enjoyed planting and harvesting some of the most wonderful fruits and vegetables.  He always had an overabundance at harvest time and would share with all of his family, friends, and neighbors.

Jose was a very religious man all of his life.  He was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Turlock, California and transferred to St. Liborius when he moved to Orient, SD.  Praying the rosary every evening together with his family was a normal routine in the household.

In December of 2020, Jose and his wife moved to Elk Grove, California to live with their son Antonio “Tony’ for a short while.  In May of 2021, they made the move to Orient, SD to live with their daughter Maria, who then became their caretaker.

Left to cherish his memory are his children:  Maria Esperanca (Joe) Azevedo of Orient, SD and Antonio Alberto (Maria Joao) Goncalves of Elk Grove, CA; five grandchildren:  Brian Azevedo, Orient, SD, Kevin Azevedo (Kayce Thomas) of Harrisburg, SD, Kimberly Azevedo of Cincinnati, OH, Manuel Mendes of Elk Grove, CA and Nathan Goncalves (Abigail Mader) of Bellingham, WA; siblings:  Maria De Rosario Enes, Modesto, CA, Manuel (Rosa) Goncalves, Cabo Da Praia, Terceira, Acores, Joao (Laurinda) Goncalves Cabo Da Praia, Terceira, Acores; sister-in-law, Vivelina Goncalves, Cabo Da Praia, Terceira, Acores; godchildren: Jacinta Enes of Modesto , CA, Lucia Silveira of Modesto, CA, and Joe (Amy) Goncalves of Maricopa, AZ; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jose will be welcomed into heaven by his parents, Joao Antonio and Maria Serafina Goncalves; brother, Antonio Goncalves; sister, Madalena da Silva; brothers-in-law: Antonio Venancio da Silva and Manuel Enes; godparents: Antonio Pedro and Laura Soares; and godson, Valdomiro Silveira.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Jose’s arrangements.

Flowers can be ordered at https://www.amberwavesfloral.com/