John Gomes Borba

Joao (John) Gomes Borba, also known as Joao Melagueta, passed at home peacefully on June 5th, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born November 25th, 1934, in Fontinhas, Terceira, Acores to Joao and Maria do Coracao Gomes Borba. At the very young age of five he moved to Praia da Vitoria to live with his Godmother Amelia who raised him as her own. On July 14, 1957, he married his beloved wife who they shared 68 wonderful years together. Teresa was his greatest blessing and constant source of strength, comfort, and unconditional love. Together they raised five beautiful, caring, compassionate, and feisty daughters. On the Island that held his heart until the very end he worked at the Lajes Air Base for twenty years. In Terceira he celebrated festas, many bullfights, and Dancas de Carnival. He made long lasting friendships and treasured memories that he cherished deeply throughout his life. In January of 1976 he fulfilled his promise of providing a better life for his family. He immigrated with his daughters and his Godmother Amelia to the United States. Here he worked on a dairy for a short time and then became a custodian at Tipton Elementary school until he retired. John's faith was the cornerstone of his life; he held a deep devotion to the Holy Spirit and had a profound love for Our Lady Fatima. His unwavering belief in God filled his heart with purpose. He enjoyed generously giving his time to serve the festas and the community. He found joy taking part in the Dancas de Carnival, bullfights, and cantoria and celebrating his heritage and traditions. In retirement, John discovered a new hobby crafting guitars by hand, but above all John's greatest joy was the time he spent with his beloved wife, daughters, family, and friends. Their love was his foundation and his happiest moments were those shared in their presence. John is preceded in death by: his infant son, Joao Selvin Gomes Borba; his parents, Joao and Maria do Coracao Gomes Borba; his Godmother who raised him, Amelia Gomes; his siblings Jose Silva and Maria Olivia Pires; his sons-in-law Joe Rebelo and Fernando Silva. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 68 years, Teresa Leal Borba; five daughters; Dina (Adelino) Pires, Filomena (the late Fernando) Silva, Teresa (Luis) Ferreira, Joann (Steve) Parkinson, Olga (John) Alamo; 12 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and his brother Tony Borba; sisters-in-law, many nieces, nephews and friends who loved him dearly.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Miller's Tulare Funeral Home.
Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025, 5:00 p.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 125 East Pleasant Avenue, Tulare.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 10:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 125 East Pleasant Avenue, Tulare, with burial at Tulare District Cemetery. Tulare
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