Joaquim “Jack” Barros

CHICOPEE – Joaquim "Jack" Barros, 88, passed away on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 in the Willimansett Nursing Center West while surrounded by the presence of his loving family. Jack was born on May 4, 1924 in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, the son of the late Antonio and Maria Jose (Gomes) Barros. He was raised and educated in Portugal where he had played professional soccer, served in the Portuguese Army and was a truck driver by trade. After coming to America, he became a resident of Chicopee in 1969 and was employed by Jahn Foundry until his retirement in 1986 after 15 years of service. He was a communicant of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, a member of the Portuguese American Club in Chicopee where he had served as its secretary and was also a member of the Tigers Athletic Club. His wife, Delfina (Vieira) Barros preceded him in death on October 4, 1991. Jack is survived by his two daughters, Zeza Santos and her husband Michael of Chicopee and Maria Casagranda and her husband Gary of Ludlow, 5 grandchildren, Matthew Perpetua and his wife Lorrie, Christopher Perpetua and his fiancé Rana, Mark Robleto, Nicole Booth and her husband Derek and Alexis Casagranda, 3 great grandchildren, Jake Perpetua and Tyler and Brady Booth. He also leaves his three sisters living in Portugal and several nieces and nephews. Jack's funeral service will begin on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at the Corridan Funeral Home, 333 Springfield St., Chicopee with the Mass of Christian Burial being celebrated in Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church, 104 Springfield St., Chicopee at 10. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the nurses and staff of Willimansett West Nursing Center for the care and comfort shown to Jack over these past four years. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Assn., 715 Albany St., Ste. C-329, Boston, MA, 02118.