Antonio M. Rosa
Prominent figure in Portuguese community for many years and beloved family man who kept his grandchildren laughing
Antonio M. Rosa, 84, passed away Monday, April 1, 2019, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Somerset in Somerville, N.J.
Born in Boticas, Portugal, Antonio was one of nine brothers and sisters raised by Carlos and Carminda Rosa. After serving in the Portuguese Navy, he married Hilda in 1957, and moved that year to New Jersey, where he was an active leader in the Portuguese community for over 60 years.
His greatest joy was family and friends and bringing laughter to his nine grandchildren. Friends will remember him with his short wave radio glued to his ear, listening to his beloved Benfica.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Hilda and children, Danny and Judy.
He is survived by children, Tony and Patrice, George and Diana, and his grandchildren, Tassia, Alex, Kayla, Joanne, Elizabeth, Alena, Sarah, Nicholas and Jeremy.
A visitation will be held Thursday, April 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, N.J. A gathering will be held Friday, April 5, at 9 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Mount Church, Warren, N.J. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Basking Ridge, N.J.