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John Abranches Obituary

Published by Contra Costa Times on Feb. 8, 2009.

John Paul Abranches Former Dublin Resident John Paul Abranches, youngest son of the Portuguese Righteous Gentile Aristides de Sousa Mendes and his wife Angelina, went peacefully to his Heavenly Father on February 5th. Born on January 7, 1931, in Louvain, Belgium, John was raised in France and Portugal. He moved to the US at the age of 19. John joined the US Army in 1951 and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Following his Army stint, he moved to San Francisco and met the love of his life, Joan (Casey), to whom he was married for 51 years and is survived by. Together, while living in Dublin, they raised four children: Paul (Nelly), Newman, CA; Peter, Antioch, CA; Sheila, Qns, NY: and Eileen (Joe), Oakley, CA. John also is survived by two sisters, Teresinha and Marie Rose, four grandchildren, many beloved nieces, nephews and in-laws, as well as many dear friends. John worked as an Architectural Draftsman for The Hofmann Company in Concord for many years. In his spare time John was a big believer in helping others. As a member of the St. Raymond's Catholic Church, he was an active participant in the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and was the Chairman of the Vietnamese Refugee Committee in Dublin; he helped many new immigrants to his community learn to read, write and speak English. But John's biggest passion was the effort to restore the name of his father, Aristides de Sousa Mendes. Sousa Mendes was the Portuguese consul in Bordeaux, France, in 1940, when Paris fell to the advancing German army during World War II, and Jewish and other refugees fled southwestward to escape into neutral Spain. But the Spanish authorities would not allow refugees to enter Spain without a Portuguese visa. Against the orders of Portuguese dictator Antonio Salazar, who had directed that no Jews or other "undesirables" be allowed visas, Sousa Mendes, with the support and assistance of his wife Angelina, issued Portuguese visas "around the clock" in June 1940 to as many refugees as possible, without regard to nationality or religion. Sousa Mendes' acts of moral courage and "disobedience" resulted in his dismissal from the Portuguese diplomatic corps, his public disgrace, and his own impoverishment. Sousa Mendes died a pauper in 1954. John, devoted his life to restoring his father's rightful place in Portugal and in history. Through John's efforts, and those of his wife Joan, his family, his friends, and members of the Portuguese and Jewish communities, the name of Aristides de Sousa Mendes is now honored in Portugal and throughout the world. A sincere thank you goes out to the wonderful caring staff of the Antioch Convalescent Hospital who genuinely cared and loved John during his two year residence suffering from Alzheimer's. Also a special thank you to all the kind and helpful Aseracare Hospice team for their support. Visitation and vigil to be held at the Graham-Hitch Mortuary in Pleasanton, Tuesday the 10th, 5 to 8pm, with a Vigil at 7pm. Funeral Mass at St. Raymond's in Dublin Wednesday the 11th, 10am, proceeded by burial in Livermore. The family is requesting that donations be made in John's honor to a local charity in need of your support. Graham-Hitch Mortuary 4167 First St., Pleasanton, CA (925) 845-5624 "Dedicated to those we service"

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September 11, 2009

Mariana Abrantes

John Paul Abranches campaigned persistently for the recognition of his father, the Portuguese diplomat, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, whose heroic Act of Conscience, as he disobeyed orders to issue visas saved thousands of lives in Bordeaux as France fell to the Nazi invaders in the dark days of June 1940.
That same fateful week, that shook France, Europe and the world, Charles de Gaulle issued the call to resistance.
I was proud to know John Paul Abranches and his family and I will remmember him with fond respect.
Mariana Abrantes, California and Portugal

February 25, 2009

Meriam Haringman

Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the death of your dear father.My family owes its life to your grandfather Aristedes de Sousa Mendes. My mother was a young student fleeing from Paris with her parents and sister and received the precious visa in Bordeaux to cross Spain into Portugal. We were raised with this story of humanity and decency during a very difficult period for Jews. My children and grandchildren here in Israel have been tutored in this legacy as well.
My mother and I had the good fortune to meet your father when he was here in Israel in 1987 and we both expressed our gratitude to him for what his father had done. You can be proud of the family you come from.
Meriam Haringman nee Goitein in the name of my mother Denise Rachel Galperin-Goitein nee Hahn

February 11, 2009

MAGGIE (GORDON) ELLIOTT

I grew up with Eileen in Dublin. I have very good memories of John. He was a character. He always made me laugh. He was a great father. Now he is at home in peace with the lord.

GOD LOOKED AROUND HIS GARDEN
AND FOUND AN EMPTY PLACE
HE THEN LOOKED DOWN UPON THE EARTH AND SAW YOUR TIRED FACE
HE PUT HIS ARMS AROUND YOU
AND LIFTED YOU TO REST
GODS GARDEN MUST BE BEAUTIFUL
HE ALWAYS TAKES THE BEST
HE KNEW THAT YOU WERE SUFFERING
HE KNEW YOU WERE IN PAIN
HE KNEW THAT YOU WOULD NEVER
GET WELL ON EARTH AGAIN
HE SAW THE ROAD WAS GETTING ROUGH
THE HILLS WERE HARD TO CLIMB
SO HE CLOSED YOUR WEARY EYELIDS
AND WHISPERED "PEACE BE THINE"
IT BROKE OUR HEARTS TO LOSE YOU
BUT YOU DIDN'T GO ALONE
FOR PART OF US WENT WITH YOU
THE DAY GOD CALLED YOU HOME.

February 8, 2009

MARY ELLEN & ANTHONY TROCCHIO

SHIELA, OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY, WE WILL LOOK UPON YOUR DAD'S LEGACY WITH PRIDE. WE WILL PRAY FOR YOU & YOUR FAMILY.

February 8, 2009

Lea de Römer Mendes

aleluia for He´s at home at last. I´ll always recall him as a loving&cheerful fellow/great(in deed)-uncle who had a different bond with my avô Geraldo. special regards to the USA-family side altogether (esp. tia&primos Joan, Eileen, Peter,Paul(Jeff&Jason)&Sheila). beijos

February 8, 2009

dianna & rudi gewing mullins

Our deepest condolences. We are very sorry for your loss. all our love to each of you.

February 8, 2009

Carlos de Sousa Mendes

My deepest condolences to the beautiful Abranches family. Dear Uncle John-Paul: I know you're watching us from heaven and having a good-natured chuckle as was your wont. Thanks to you we are all in a better place. Your work to restore the memory of my grandfather, your father, Aristides de Sousa Mendes do Amaral e Abranches, was incalculable and also made the rest of the world a better place, and for such deeds you are to be honored. Saudades and Muito Obrigado Tio.

February 8, 2009

The Staff of Graham-Hitch Mortuary

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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