Antonio DeFaria

Antonio DeFaria, 91, a longtime resident of East Providence, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. He was the devoted husband of Ana Faria, whom he married on September 16, 2006, and the late Maria A. (DaSilva) DeFaria, his cherished wife of forty-six years, who passed away on January 7, 2005.

Born on the scenic island of Faial in the Azores, Portugal, he was the beloved son of the late Joaquim and Ana (Nunes) Faria. Antonio grew up on Faial and proudly served in the Portuguese Army for three years. In 1972, he emigrated to the United States with his family, making East Providence their permanent home.

Antonio's unwavering dedication to his family and strong work ethic were evident throughout his life. He worked for many years as a forklift operator at American Insulated Wire Company in Pawtucket, retiring in 1995. A man of deep Catholic faith, he was a devoted parishioner of Saint Francis Xavier Church in East Providence.

He found great joy in gardening and making homemade wine, but his happiest moments were those spent with his beloved family, especially during summers gathered at Colt State Park in Bristol. Antonio’s legacy is one of love, devotion, and a life lived fully in service to those he cherished.

He is survived by his loving wife of eighteen years, Ana, and his children, Mario DeFaria and his wife, Linda, of East Providence, and Delia Correia and her husband, Louie, of Riverside. He also leaves behind his treasured grandchildren: Matthew DeFaria and his wife, Tara; Krystal Harvey and her husband, Jack; Kristopher, Nathan, and Katarina Correia; and his great-granddaughter, Violet. He was a dear brother to Eduina Faria Dias of Portugal and Manuel Faria of California.

In addition to Maria, his first wife, Antonio was predeceased by his brothers, Joaquim, Jose, and Luis Faria, as well as his sisters, Ana Bettencourt and Maria Gaspar.

Family and friends are warmly invited to gather for visitation on Friday, October 18, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the REBELLO FUNERAL HOME, 901 Broadway, East Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Reverend Jorge Rocha on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM in Saint Francis Xavier Church, 81 North Carpenter Street, East Providence. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 550 Wampanoag Trail, Riverside. The family requests that all those who are attending the funeral, please report directly to the church that morning. There will be no public procession leaving from the funeral home.

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