Maria Alice Moniz Arruda

Maria Alice Moniz

Maria Alice Moniz was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on February 27, 1925. She is the legitimate daughter of Rufino Moniz and Maria Natalia Neto Moniz. She was the fifth child and second daughter of Rufino and Natalia Moniz. She was baptized at the Immaculate Conception Church on Earle Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. 

As written by her daughter Carole: Mom grew up in New Bedford and lived in California for a short while when she was very young. She attended the New Bedford school system. She graduated from the Campbell Secretarial School in New Bedford. Instead of pursuing a career in secretarial work, she chose to work as a stitcher at the Colonial Textile Factory on Coggeshall Street and the Grinnell Pajama Factory on Nash Road. She claims the reason for working as a stitcher was because stitchers made much more money than secretaries did at the time. She also turned in her pay to her parents and got a $5.00 a week allowance. This appeared to be the custom at the time. Over the years, her friends at work claimed that she was quite the entertainer. She may have been a quiet lady at times, but she also joked around a lot and always kept them in “stitches”!

There are some childhood memories that Mom and her sisters recall. Having very strict parents they were quite sheltered. If they were playing outside in the yard and boys came in the yard, they had to go inside the house. In the summer time, when they wanted to go to the beach or the pool at Brooklawn Park, they had to wear pajamas, not bathing suits! When their parents weren’t around they would sometimes get the family ukuleles and sing and play them on the front porch for a gathering crowd. One memory that stands out is the 1938 Hurricane. Mom and her sister Gloria were going home to Davis Street from school. They were being blown all over the place from the fierce wind. They were jumping over wires, falling, and laughing and having a grand old time. Not knowing of course, the danger of this hurricane for which they had no warning. When they finally arrived at home, their parents were ready to evacuate to higher grounds with a wagon filled with food and clothing. Fortunately, the water didn’t quite reach their home.

Mom was considered to be the quiet one in the family but did have quite a sense of dry humor. She was extremely close to her mother. She is also credited with helping her mother obtain her citizenship papers. 

Mom met Dad, Joseph S. Arruda from Fall River, Massachusetts at Lincoln Park in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. He was serving in the Navy at the time. They corresponded while he was in the service and she has kept these letters in her “Hope Chest “all these years. They married on June 7, 1947 at the Immaculate Conception Church which was across the street from where she lived on 129 Earle Street. They lived at 75 Hathaway Street in New Bedford for 12 years. My Aunt Judy and her husband John lived with them for a while because it was very difficult to get a place to live after the war was over. There was a housing shortage at that time. They then moved to 191 Cornell Street in New Bedford. Dad held several jobs during his life in New Bedford... He worked at Standard Electric, Walecka Moving Company, and Tavares Upholstering. He also worked in the New Bedford Fire Department as a District Chief before retiring. Dad passed away at the age of 66 in 1992. Mom never really got over her loss. They were so very close and devoted to each other. We all miss him very much.

They had a wonderful life together. They travelled with family and friends, going to Madeira and the Azores, cruises, and many different parts of the United States. They loved going out dancing and received many certificates for the different styles of dancing they had learned. They loved going to family and friend’s parties where there was so much fun and entertainment. Mom is best known for her imitation of Julia Child at these parties, demonstrating how to cook a chicken. She still claims that she taught Julia everything she knew! Besides dancing, travelling, and entertaining, Mom also loved doing art work, especially different types of drawing. She also loved playing cards, macramé, and doing various arts and crafts. She loved her dog, Sparky and Steve’s dog, Kirby and still talks about them today.

I have many fond memories of Mom besides travelling with her. Growing up, we had a summer cottage at West Island in Fairhaven, MA. Dad built this house himself with help of Mom of course. It was a very sturdy house, losing only two shingles during Hurricane Carol. Many of the homes on the island were blown and washed away. We use to bike ride all over the island. We picked blueberries and we made pie and special treats with them. We would ride our bikes to the beach and go quahogging and clamming. Dad would make stuffed quahogs and clam boils. There were many fun times there with friends, cousins, aunts, and uncles. My brother and I also have great memories of camping in NH and Peter’s Pond in Sandwich with our parents and other family members.

Mom has resided at 191 Cornell Street, New Bedford, MA since 1959. My brother, Steven Joseph Arruda, was born on September 11, 1958 in New Bedford, Ma. He lives with Mom now and he is a very dedicated and devoted son and caretaker. He is a barber at the Barber Connection in New Bedford, MA which he has owned for many years. He is very proud of his Niece Victoria and Nephew Andrew and quite loving and generous to them also.

I, Carole Anne Arruda Wallace was born on June 23, 1949 in New Bedford, MA. I graduated from SMU (now UMass Dartmouth) in 1971 and became a school teacher. I married Thomas Arthur Wallace in 1972. We lived in Westport, MA for six years and moved to Mattapoisett, MA where we still reside. Together we have two children. My first child is Andrew Joseph Wallace, born January 27, 1987. My second child is Victoria Alice Wallace, born on April 30, 1991.

Mom is 87 years old now and enjoys watching her TV programs and goes to Brandon Woods Day Care 4 days a week. She also enjoys visits from her devoted sisters, Gloria, Judy, and Vera, and her nieces and nephews. She is very loving, caring, generous, and proud of her children and grandchildren.

 We love you Ma!!! We love you Mimi!!!

Cousin Rosemary says: What can I say about my Aunty Alice??? She is my God-mother and I have known her my entire life. My memories are fond  and so sweet! Cousin Carole and I were always together as children. She was the only child for nine years so I was usually invited to sleep over and keep her company. These times were so special for me as I was the oldest of six and to stay with Aunty Alice and Uncle Joe, a mini vacation for me taken over many times! I loved the summers at West Island, many long hours at the beach and just being outside. 

I also remember all the Christmas gatherings with the entire family in attendance! Fun, great food and much laughter!

Aunty always made me laugh with her unique sense of humor. She once told me that birds liked to eat spaghetti because it  was thin and they could swallow it better! I never did put this theory to the test!

They made me feel so special and always had great goodies, such a real treat. Thanks for filling my childhood with such wonderful memories! For this I am eternally grateful! 

Joe & Alice

Wedding Day, June 7, 1947

Sister Gloria & Alice, right

Alice, Grandfather, Gloria

Godmother Alice holding me...Rosemary

Sisters, Gloria & Alice

Sisters...Judy, Alice & Vera

Joe & Alice

Alice with her Mom

Bathing Beauty Alice

Maria Gloria Moniz Tavares!

Mom graduation photo Normandin Jr. High School, about 13 years old...

Maria Gloria Moniz, born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on December 01,1923. She is the legitimate daughter of Rufino Moniz and Maria Natalia Neto Moniz. She was baptized in Immaculate Conception Church, New Bedford, Massachusetts. She will be 90 years old in this year of 2013.  

Well folks here she is my mama! As I write this post she is 88 years of age. She was the fourth child and first daughter of Rufino Moniz with my grandmother Maria Natalia Neto Moniz, three more daughters would follow. 
She was the second Maria Gloria! The first was buried at sea in 1920 and was the daughter of grandfather and Maria do Rosairo, his first wife.

Mom grew up in New Bedford and would attend New Bedford Schools. She would not graduate from high school as it was the custom to pull one's child out of school at the age of sixteen at that time, sending them to work in the textile mills. She would work at the Colonial Textile in New Bedford, MA. She made the grand total of $22.00 a week and her pay was turned over to her father. She was given a small allowance. Times were tough and every penny counted. It was the era of the Great Depression.

Mom met my dad, Antone C. Tavares at the Colonial Textile, a pajama factory. They also worked at the Fiber Leather Company, making luggage, back in the late thirties. They would marry June 2, 1945 after World War II had ended. She wrote to my dad every day that he spent in the South Pacific for four years. Mom has until this day two very large scrapbooks of their correspondence  to each other. Such incredible devotion!

They lived in my dad's, mother's house for the first three years of their marraige. I, the oldest was born on June 3, 1948. Together they would have five more children. 
Mom would quit her full time job after my sister Barbara was born. She helped my dad start his upholstery business in 1952. She would do all the sewing for him. I remember younger siblings asleep in their carriage at his place of business as she sewed away! The business is still in existence. It bares the same name, Tavares Upholstering Company. It is owned and run by my youngest brother James, a master craftsman. 
You can read more here: True Craftsmanship! 
I became the big sister/babysitter early on.

She is a hoot in her old age and uses the Old Age Card to say what ever she wants and for the most part, that works. She can raise a few eyebrows! One could also add to her descriptive list of titles, Queen Mother of Manipulation and The Empress of Supreme Guilt! 

She can also be forgetful at times. At 88 I hope I can say the same. She takes only one medication by prescription, and loves her daily glass of wine. She would make my sisters and I clothes for our dolls without a pattern. I can remember her sewing little snaps on a red jacket for my Genie Doll! Mom and dad also made small wooden beds for our dolls! Oh how I wish I knew what happened to that little bed? It was blue and white! Gosh where did she find the time? You can read more about her antics here: Peace Out Mama!

She is a doll though and would never hurt a fly. She is dearly loved by all of her children and grandchildren. She lives alone in an apartment attached to my sister's single family home. She still cooks up a storm and is excellent at that task. I definitely did not inherit that gene. Her house sparkles and a meal is always ready to eat if anyone should stop by. A better mother I could not have. Love you mama!

Dad would pass at the age of 84 in 2003. Her courage would shine through during this difficult time. She speaks of him fondly and says that she has had a very good life. "He was so proud of all of us," she often says! 

I was born 6/3/1948, married 6/02/1968 to Wilfred N. Aubut, together we have two children, three grandchildren and one on the way. Our daughter Katherine Elizabeth, born 8/27/1969, married 11/28/1992 to Brian Michael Leavitt. Together they have three children, Michael James, 4/11/1996, Hannah Rose, 5/02/1999 and Sophia Katherine, 1/31/2002. 
Our son Christopher James was born 1/25/1974. He married Allicyn Cote on 9/16/2011. They have one son, Miles Stephen, 2/18/2013. 
My sister Barbara Jeanne was born on 11/28/1949 and is married to John Pettengill Davis. Together they have two children, Jenny Ann, 3/28/1982 and Jonathan Alden, 5/8/1984. 
Anthony Michael Tavares, my brother was born on 10/25/1954. He married Kathleen Bancroft on 8/27/1977. Together they have two children, Kevin, 11/4/1985 and Andrew, 8/22/1988. 
My sister Theresa Marie, was born in 4/26/1959. She is married to Paul Dawson and together they have four daughters and one grandchild. Jessica, 3/25/1983. Kristen, 12/18/1984 married 10/13/2007, to Russell Alphonse. They have two children, Charlotte Rose, 6/26/2011 and Benjamin 6/4/2013. Katelyn, 8/21/1988 and Jenna, 2/26/1996. 
My brother Ronald James Tavares born 7/17/1961. 
James Edward Tavares born 02/07/1963. Married to Julie Isaksen. Jim has three children, Joshua, 7/14/1990, Courtney, 7/28/1992 and Sadey, 1/2/1996. 

Cousin Joann writes: "I remember how wonderful my Aunt Gloria was to me especially when I was a child. I loved to go to her home because she had a large family and I loved all the activity that goes with having 6 children. Even though she had six children she always had time for me. My happiest childhood memories are because of my Aunt Gloria who took her role as Godmother very seriously. I spent many Saturdays at her house. She would give her children some money to go buy something at the store, she gave me money as well. She always treated me as if I was her own. She was medicine to my heart. There are many other stories I have but i'll never forget her warmth, kindness and generosity towards me. Thank you so much Aunt Gloria for your compassion, love, generosity and graciousness you have given to me over the years. Thank you for letting me share in your family and your home. You are a wonderful person and have been a positive influence to all who know you. You made a difference in my life. I must mention what a great cook you are. It was a delight to sit at your table. Thank you, Aunt Gloria!"
I think your mother was like our Grandmother! I do remember our Grandmother, (Maria Natalia Moniz). She passed when I was six. I remember her staying at my house for a short time. I would run from one side of her chair to the other and she would reach to where I was. It was a game. I knew she could not see well so I would move around and ask her if she knew where I was, which she did. At the time I didn't realize it was because of all the noise I made plus I don't think she was fully blind. She could probably see shadows or very blurry. I gave her a kiss on the cheek when I saw her and remember her having whiskers on her chin. She was never cross with me so I know she liked children. I recall her as pleasant, a child knows when an adult doesn't like them. I remember her funeral, I was so sick at it and I think Diane or Carole tried to help my mother by taking me out." 
Thanks for your inspiring comments Joann. It is amazing to me how much we can impact a child with small acts of kindness. 

Cousin Hank writes: "When I was working in Connecticut every weekend I got the chance I would come to New Bedford to visit my “back east” family. I remember the wonderful Sunday dinners your mother would cook with the entire family in attendance. It was great to see so many of the family at one place.  Your mom and dad always treated me so nice, as did all of my Aunts and Uncles. I have fond memories of all of my trips to New Bedford and surrounding areas. I was very fortunate to see them at a time when they were in good health." 

“We are the guardians of all that has passed. We keep the flames of memory alive for the nourishments of future generations...” ~P. Louis Bump Jr.~

Mom & Dad on their honeymoon, New York City, June 1945

Me & Mom...nice hairdo mom!!! I can just feel those Bobby Pins now!

Photo that my dad kept in his wallet! I'm wiping the tears away! 

A cute story! Mom's brother John had a large white dog named Prince, who he loved dearly! One day mom, around age eleven, decided to give Prince a bath as he had rolled around in something awful! Not getting him clean enough she decided to throw some bleach in the water, this turned the Prince bright yellow! What was she to do? "Bluing," she frantically thought, "I'll throw in a little bluing!" Well you guessed it, the dog was now a very nice shade of blue! She was scared but she and her sisters thought it funny and hid under the bed!
John came home, saw the dog and she says, he had a fit. He found the girls and chased them around the house. Blue dog joined in the chase.... 
Somehow the dog survived, so did mom and her little sisters too!

Joseph Gregory Moniz!

Joseph Gregory Moniz
Born, March 12, 1922, legitimate son of Rufino Moniz and Maria Natalia Neto Moniz. Baptized in Immaculate Conception Church, New Bedford, Massachusetts on April 15, 1922 according to the Rite of the Roman Catholic Church by J.N. Almedia.
 Sponsors being Manuel d'Araujo Sol and Libania Fernandes Sol. 
Such a handsome young man, Joseph would pass at the age of 18 from a tragic accident. Joseph Gregory, was the second Joseph in the family. I believe it was a tribute and custom to name the next male child Joseph after the baby that had passed.
My mom, his younger sister writes: "He was such a kind person, always helpful and so good to his parents. They had moved into their new house and he was going to paint and wallpaper for them. He slept in the new house only one night before his death. He loved to dress and would pay me a quarter to iron his shirts. He worked at the Colonial Textile in New Bedford, MA. He had just come back from a date when the accident occurred.
The night he died the police came to the house. My parents were devastated. I woke to my brother John's voice screaming, "it should have been me!" We all drove to the hospital to identify the body and my mother passed out. The wake was held in my parents house. My mother says that she had a vision of her mother the night before he died and somehow she knew that this visit wasn't a good sign." 

After all these years my mom Gloria, has kept the newspaper clipping below. Joseph Gregory would pass on December 8, 1940 at the age of eighteen. 

Cousin Hank writes: "My dad, Uncle Ralph and Aunty Mary
drove all the way from California to attend Uncle Joe's funeral. My dad spoke of him often and the tragic way he died." 

Cousin Jo-Ann writes: "Now I can see another reason my father drank, tormented by the death of his brother. I know he drank prior to that but he felt he the bad son should have been the one to die and not Joe, the good son. Sometimes I wish I could have understood this earlier in my life, maybe I could have comforted or encourage him to know that there was a purpose to his life. I don't think he ever knew that." 

Once again such tragedy had befallen the family! 
I have visited his grave and in some odd way mourned his loss even though I never knew him! A young life taken way too soon! What could have been!

Obituary 

Joseph Moniz!

Joseph Moniz 
To you baby Joseph, I will try to give a voice. Joseph was born sometime between late 1920 to 1921. He would pass at the age of one year from pneumonia. I believe that my grandmother was pregnant on the voyage to America. My belief lies in the fact that her first child John, was born January 31st 1919 and her third child, another Joseph was born March 12, 1922. So lets do the math...

Where do I begin? There were only a couple of facts about this child that I knew for sure. First that he existed and second what cemetery he was laid to rest. Mom always said that he passed from pneumonia at the age of one but only a theory on the illness! I wrote the above sentences about two weeks ago. After weeks of searching online, I decided to call New Bedford City Hall. I spoke to a pleasant woman and asked if I could come in and research. She asked if I could hold while she checked for a Joseph Moniz born somewhere between 1920 and 1921. 
S A Y  W H A T!!! She would check while I waited, are you kidding me right now! "I will hold for as long as it takes," I said. Could he have been named Jose? Were his parents Rufino and Maria Natalia Moniz? Yes! Yes! I knew he had passed at about thirteen months but that was all. "He passed September 19th 1921, at the age of one year, five days old. His birthdate September 14th, 1920," she reported. This proves my theory that Grandmother was pregnant aboard ship when she arrived in the United States on April 2nd of 1920. Be-still my heart, the hardship and lets not mention sea sickness coupled with morning sickness! Gosh, find me a bucket now!!!

Cousin Carole went downtown and picked up a birth and death certificate the following Monday. The death certificate clearly states that he passed from acute gastro-enteritis. Which is intestinal flu and dehydration. This would be a rare occurrence in this day and age in America.

I was on a roll! I called the cemetery and asked if they could pinpoint his place of burial. Keep in mind that this was late on a Friday afternoon. "Hold," said a very pleasant voice, "and I will look for you. Do you mind holding?" 
SAY WHAT!!! "I have very little information but I can tell you that he is buried in the Saint Agnes, section lot number 387. The date of his burial  was September 21st 1921," she said. She also mentioned that he was a member of Immaculate Conception Church.
I was overwhelmed at this point. "Go to the cemetery and look for one of the workers on lawnmowers. "Sh said that they speak English and will help you find it. "Pardon my ignorance and for lack of better terminology, was he buried a pauper" I asked? "No," said the kind voice, "they paid for his burial," but she could not tell me how much back in 1921. This news gave me a chill as I knew their resources were limited! I was so proud of them and once again they had endured such a great deal!

 Cousin Carole went later the following Monday, earlier than our planned expedition on Thursday. She found the area, but she was not sure of the exact location. I went with my friend Mary on Wednesday. Again trying to narrow it down to save some time as my Mom and Aunty are in their eighties and would attend on Thursday. 
My friend Mary has very strong intuitive abilities. As we drove into the cemetery, she said "look for a bird and he will give us a sign." No birds! All of a sudden a large black bird flew over several men on lawnmowers. She also said that plot 387 would be near a large tree! 

We waved the men down. A very nice young man named Kenny, asked us to follow him. He led us, right to the exact spot while riding his lawnmower. It was all grassed over. I asked if he had a metal probe to see if there was a stone underneath. Remember, it has been 92 years since his burial. He did hit something and said it was probably a rock but he had no shovel with him. "So if I come back tomorrow and start digging, you're not going to start screaming at the old lady with the shovel are you," I asked? 
"No, no" he said laughing. "In fact you can do whatever you would like," but mentioned a few restrictions.  
Oh Boy! Green Light, now I can build the Taj Mahal. Mary and I checked a few stores to see if we could find a statue of some kind as my budget was small. No luck! I called my mother-in-law as she always has a statue or two hanging around! No luck! On the ride home Mary and I agreed that the right object would be found! A few seconds later we both at the same time said, "Kathy's garage or yard!" Kathy is my daughter. 
I ran into my son-in-law first. Without hesitation he mentioned a statue way out in the backyard. My grandson knew immediately where it was, as he used to use it for target practice. KIDS!!!
He brought me the perfect specimen... a small boy with a dog at his side carrying a bucket. He was about twenty four inches tall! 
PERFECT, I tried to contain myself! I'm sure my kids are going to send me away soon but at least it's never boring! Mike, my grandson, helped me clean him up. The statue was sturdy and heavy and looked like it had been around for a hundred years or so. Perfect, Perfect, Perfect! 

Once again, overwhelmed, I knew higher powers were working here! Mike looked at me puzzled and asked if I was going to dig Uncle Joseph up? Roaring I explained that we were going only to mark the spot and make for Baby Joseph a fitting tribute.

How cute is he? Just perfect, have I already mentioned that?

I left early the next morning and stopped to buy some perennials and mulch. Had with me every tool I thought we needed except a pitchfork which turns out was the one tool we really needed. Carole and I tried to dig in the dense rough grass. It was so dense that we nearly wore ourselves out. The sun was blistering hot! Mom and Aunt Vera had chairs, water and were sitting in the shade under the large tree, that Mary had mentioned, looking at old photos that Aunt Vera had brought!

no markers were found...spot was verified...

Cousin Carole digging...

We found our friend Kenny, lawnmower free, and asked if we could borrow a pitchfork. He gladly obliged and lent us two. Now we were in business. We cleaned out a small oblong patch, found a few rocks and a foot long piece of old metal which Kenny told us was probably part of the original cement marker that had by now disintegrated. 

We edged out a small oblong patch, nice and neat and planted some stonecrop. Then buried the statue up to his ankles. Aunty brought some flowers in a vase and I some hydrangea which I placed in his bucket. The mulch was spread evenly.

we buried him up to his ankles...

added some mulch...

Mom and Aunty were tearful and Carole and I were proud of our laborious task and a little pooped, no a lot pooped! We were there about three hours all total. We hope to get some sort of nameplate in the future.

Mom and Aunty Vera watering...

so proud their baby brother has been finally acknowledged... 

My mom kept saying how proud her mother and dad must be. The family had totally lost track of his whereabouts, but at least they knew the cemetery where he was buried. 
We all enjoyed a wonderful lunch and spent the rest of the day looking at old photos with my two sisters and cousin who joined us later at cousin Carole's house. 
She is such a gracious hostess!
 It is amazing to me that I thought I only had a couple of things to say about this little guy. He has now been given a voice and has sent us on an incredible journey. He was born and loved by his parents and now will be remembered by all of us who never knew him. He was the second child of grandfather's second seven and had passed before my mom was born. He has brought us all closer together as a family and I will never ever forget this day! 
I also now have his baptismal records, sent to me by Father Reis from Immaculate Conception Church: 

"This is to certify that Jose Moniz is the Child of Rufino Moniz and Maria Natalia Moniz. He was baptized on September 26,1920 at Immaculate Conception Church, New Bedford, MA, according to the Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, by the Rev. J.N. Almeida. 
The Sponsors being:
Francisco Raposo Mendonca and Maria Isabel Mendonca"

Thank You Uncle Joseph, our journey continues......
I just got a call from cousin Carole, she has located an engraver who will make Baby Joseph a nameplate for a very reasonable price.......and the gifts keep coming...!!!!!!!

John Peter Moniz

Joao Pedro Moniz
Ten hours of the day 01/31/1919 was born on Rua Dr. Vieira 290, in the parish of St. Peter, an individual male who was named Joao Pedro Moniz, legitimate son of Rufino Moniz, civic guard, 44-year-old native of Santa Cruz, and his wife Maria Natalia Moniz, domestic, 29 years old, born in Sao Pedro, Funchal. He was the paternal grandson of Rufino Moniz and Maria de Freitas and maternal grandson of Manuel Rodrigues Neto and Maria de Jesus. There were witnesses in this registry, Luis Sequeira Dias, married, civic police and Abel Ascension de Vasconcelos, married, civic guard, residents Rua do Comercio. 
John would make the journey to America at the age of one year on the Black Arrow. He was grandfather's eighth child, first born with my grandmother, Maria Natalia.

Grandmother holding John, about 14 months old. Picture copied from her passport.
I remember Uncle John fondly! He was a robust man with a hearty laugh and always a kind smile! He lived on the second floor above Angelo's Market, right next door to his parents. He and his family would later move to a single family home in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. His wife Cecilia, lives there until this day. I also remember that he was an avid coin collector. 
His oldest son David, who is a year younger than I and cousin Carole, also a year younger, would play for many hours as young children. Mischief would always ensue and giggles abundant. I remember a time when we hung grandmother's underwear on a bare light bulb hanging from the ceiling and were saluting them while laying on her huge feather bed. The heat burnt a hole in the huge pink nylon elasticized, bloomers and sent them flying clear across the room. The lightbulb exploded. We were scared and of course in huge trouble. As I remember Uncle John, was the only adult who found this event funny and it was! It still makes me chuckle.  
His youngest child and only daughter Jo-Ann writes:
"I've got plenty of stories but they might not be printable. However, I can tell you that my father was a very generous man. I can still hear him say, "sweetheart get what you want." I would ask him if I could have a banana split when he took us to Frates Bottle in the north end of New Bedford. He sometimes would say, " you like that, get that" especially when choosing my Schwinn bicycle. Even until this day when I'm trying to choose something I hear in my head "sweetheart, get what you like!"  
He always made me special food treats like a fruit cup with sherbert that he made with the utmost care. He was a perfectionist and he would tell me loudly with the most urgent concern, "NEVER put tomatoes in kale soup!" He had very strong opinions about food. 
He would take us on long Sunday drives. We would stop at roadside fruit/vegetable stands and I would ask him if we could get strawberries and he would buy a whole case or flat of strawberries and if I wanted to eat the whole thing I could. He loved it when I ate a lot of food and my cousins can attest to my appetite. Just ask Aunt Gloria how many hamburgers I ate. (In my opinion she is the best cook on the planet).
He had a strong love for all of his sisters. He was extremely proud of being a Madeira descendant and would speak of it like it was the finest land in all the world, even though he never returned. He repeatedly would tell me stories of its beauty and I must say, after visiting Madeira myself, he was absolutely right. I made the grievous error one day and asked him if Madeira was part of the Azores, bad question???? After asking me what was the matter with me, I got a very long explanation of the geographical location of Madeira. I don't think he spoke to me for a week after that.
My mother's family was from Azores. My father would insist that we, his children, were Madeiran because he, our father, was Madeiran. I guess the mother didn't count. It was who your father was that determined your nationality. He didn't have many nice things to say about St. Michael, when it came to food.
He was very supportive of my mom's sewing skills and bought her, her first power sewing machine. He would take her to fabric stores far away and wait patiently while she shopped. He was very proud of her and would boast about her abilities. 
When I learned how to play guitar he would listen to me sing to him and would think I was the greatest, which was pretty amazing to me because I would sing to him songs about Jesus and that could be a touchy subject. He didn't want to talk about it. But I could sing about it and he thought I was great! 
I really miss my father and I wish I could have lunch with him.  I had a rocky relationship with him due to his frequent drinking but through my becoming a born again Christian, God helped me to forgive him and we had a great relationship in the latter part of his life. I really love him, and when I think of him, it brings a smile to my face. As all of you are aware of, I am a lot like him. I know he loved me and his entire family and the country he was born in and the country he fought for. He was loyal and he did know right from wrong and often spoke up about it, not necessarily in the most tactful way. 
My father worked at Kay Windsor as a shipper for more than 20 years.
He was born in Funchal, 1/31/1919 and died at 82yrs old, Monday February 5, 2001. 
He married my mother, June 5, 1948.  
He was in the Army in Battery A, 276th Coast Artillery Battalion. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon. 
Certificate of Nationalization, age 23 on the 30th December 1942 in the State of Texas, county of Galveston when he was at Camp Hulen, Texas, (sounds like this happened when he enlisted in the Army becsuse he completed his service in 1946.
My mother's maiden name was Cecilia Rodericks. It was probably spelled Roderiques, but they maybe changed it in America, just a guess.
1st born, David John Moniz, 4/4/1949 wife, Shirley Moser divorced one natural daughter Marsha Moniz, who is now married but she is not in contact with our family. 
 2nd born, Ralph Anthony Moniz, 9/2/1953, no children, estranged wife Olivia. 
3rd born, Jo-Ann Moniz (myself), 9/17/57, married to Charles J Carey 5/1/1980. 
I have three children, Cecelia M. Carey, 9/28/81 single. 
Monica F. Carey, 9/28/84 married with two sons, Isaac C. Barros and Elloit Nathanael Barros, born Christmas Day, 2012. 
Nathanael R. Carey, 11/4/87, single, military served in Afghanistan and is now training for Special Forces selection in September." 
Thank you cousin Jo-Ann for this wonderful and very honest account of your dad. His memory shall live on forever. 
Jo-Ann has visited Madeira twice now and absolutely loves it there. She has taken many beautiful pictures, which I will share in a later chapter. She has a very dry sense of humor and always makes me laugh! 
Cousin Hank writes of Uncle John: "I have a nice picture of my mom and dad, Uncle Ralph, Uncle Jordan and Uncle John sitting around a table in a night club in San Francisco on one of Uncle John’s visits to California. It was during the War because Uncle John was in uniform.  He told us a lot of war stories and we just loved them - - especially the one about killing a shark with his .45 pistol. I remember him and his talent for barbecuing meat. He took control of all situations and when he and my Uncle Ralph would get together the beers would fly. He looked up to my Uncle Ralph. They had a lot in common. He probably named his son Ralph after him. I also remember him as a very generous man that when he spoke, we all listened. What is unusual is that my dad, Uncle Jordan, Uncle Ralph, Grandfather Moniz and Uncle John all passed away at the age of 82. For those of us going around once in this world, we better have a good time while we’re here, because when we’re dead, it’s for a long time."


John Moniz in uniform. 

John visiting California...left, Jordan, Francis, Henrique, John, Hank Jr., Monte, Ralph

Maria Natalia Moniz

Maria Natalia Rodrigues Neto Moniz 

This document says that the book of registration of births in the year 1889 on the sheet 8, nr. 3, 0 shown following: In the church of San Pedro, Funchal, was named Mary, who was born in that village the day 12:15, 24/12/1888, legitimate daughter of Manuel Rodrigues Neto, laborer, and Mary Elizabeth, domestic, both natural of the parish and county of San Vicente, but were residents at the site of Ribeira de Sao Joao (Funchal) and parishioners of the church of St. Peter. Father was the grandson of Jose Rodrigues Neto and Maximiana of Jesus. Mother was the granddaughter of Manuel Ferreira and Maria de Jesus. The groomsmen were Manuel Fernandes Camacho, dealer, married, and his wife, Helen Camacho, residents of St. John Street. 

Maria Natalia Rodrigues Neto, would become grandfather's second wife in 1918, seven years after the death of his first wife, Maria do Rosario. She bore him seven children as well. She was listed as a domestic on the birth records relating to her children. John, Joseph, Joseph, Maria Gloria, Maria Alice, Maria Judith and Elvira. This was her second marriage. She lost her first husband and three children to the dreaded influenza that swept across Europe. 

Maria Natalia would make the journey to America in 1920 along with grandfather and their one year old son, John and four of grandfather's children with Maria do Rosario. 

Maria Natalia was my maternal grandmother. I remember her fondly and mostly that she spent her life in the kitchen, caring for her grandchildren, while their parents worked and sitting on her front porch in the very little leisure time that she had. In her later years her eyesight would fail and she would sit in a chair, quite close, hunched over to enjoy TV. Quite a novelty at that time. 

Grandmother wore gold wire rim glasses, always in a dress, with nylons rolled around her knees. Her shoes were black leather with a slight heel and laced up the front, usually untied. Her ultimate accessory, a full apron, that slipped over her head and tied in the the back around her waist, with long tails, usually a child tugging at them. 

Her front parlor would open at Christmas and housed old fashioned, large horse haired overstuffed, sofa and chairs. They were navy blue and maroon as I can remember. The fabric was an indestructible mohair, kind of like a coarse velvet, carved wooden panels and legs as a decorative touch in a mahogany tone. A room off limits any other time, closed off by two large mahogany french doors, unless one was going to the front porch for a while. Their home was a three decker. Grandparents lived on the first floor directly across from the Immaculate Conception Church. 

Grandmother would become a citizen of the United States, on June 25th 1942. She was fifty three years old. My mother says that she studied for the test for many hours and received a perfect score. 

It is said that she could read tea leaves and was very intuitive. My mom says she made a table lift in Madeira. Not sure how true this information is, but it was not the kind of thing that anyone discussed in the old days. One might be labeled a witch and she definitely was not. She once asked me for a glass of water and some eggs. She broke the eggs and when they rose to the top it would determine how many children I would have. She told me two, a boy and a girl. She was correct. If I could only have those moments back. As a young teen I did not give her prediction much credence and had no idea of her abilities. 

The arrogance of youth! 

Grandmother would pass in 1965 at the age of 76. A life filled with hardship and sorrow, she would lose two more of her children born here in America before the age of eighteen. Yet, a fruitful life which gave birth to an incredible work ethic instilled in all of her children. 

Cousin Hank writes: I met your grandmother and my grandfather in 1953 when my family, including Uncle Ralph, took the California Zephyr from Oakland, CA to Chicago, then another train from Chicago to Boston, and another one car train from Boston to New Bedford. That was the first and last time that I saw our grandparents. I remember a glorious time meeting the “back east” family for the first time, and all we did on that trip. My cousins were all about 5-6 years old at the time. I was 14. My mother’s brother, Joe Pallotta (Uncle Peep as we called him) wired my dad some money to buy a car for him.  We bought a new 1953 Plymouth station wagon and drove it home to California. I got to drive many miles across the desert of Utah and Nevada with no license, etc. A trip I will never forget. Hank  

Many more stories can be written here and they are all welcomed. If any of my older cousins would like to share a few please let me know!

From left to right: Cousins, Susan, Myself, Carole, David and Barbara, Grandmother looking proudly over. This photo was taken probably at Christmas in 1949. 
Hey, no apron and her nylons do not seem to be rolled down. It had to be a holiday!!!!!!

Johdao Moniz

Jordan....1935

Jordan Moniz, was born on September 23, 1911. He was the legitimate son of Rufino Moniz, civil guard and Maria do Rosairo, domestic. He was the paternal grandson of Rufino Moniz and Maria DeFreitas and the maternal grandson of Jose Joaquin Monteiro and Augusta of the Rosary. He was born in Madeira, Portugal. 

As his older brother Henrique writes in an eight page letter to his family: 

"My youngest brother Jordan was born on September 23, 1911. Our mother would die less than a month later. She passed on October 11, 1911. My father would remarry seven years later in 1918. Together they would have seven more children, four girls and three boys, the opposite from our family of three girls and four boys." 

Can you only imagine the pain and sorrow that would befall the family? Grandfather would be left with seven children under the age of eleven years old. One of which was a newborn. How on earth did he endure? It is said that Maria do Rosairo would die due to the complications of childbirth. It is also said that Jordan was cared for by a family friend who was a wet nurse. He was left behind for unknown reasons when the family migrated to America. He would have been around nine years old at that time, happy with his adopted family perhaps or maybe for financial reasons. 

Jordan finally made the voyage to America in 1941. His port of departure was Lisbon, Portugal. He arrived in New York, New York on the ship Siboney, March 27, 1941. He would then move on to California to meet with his siblings. His brother Henrique would sponsor him to the United States. Jordan became a citizen in August of 1948 at the age of thirty six. 

It is said that he came to this country a very bitter man due to the fact that he was left behind in Madeira. 

Cousin Hank writes: "Uncle Jordan worked for General Electric's Transformer Division in Oakland for a number of years making crates for the huge transformers to be shipped in. I can't remember Aunt Helen's maiden name, but I went to her father's and mother's house on many occasions. She worked at a plant that made antifreeze. She died of liver cancer shortly after Aunty Mary Macedo passed. The last time I saw her she was in bed, but showed me the dress that she wanted to be buried in. Very sad! She was a kind and gentle soul!" Hank also writes: "He was so generous to my family. He would give me, my brother and sister $20 each every time we went for a visit. He raised rabbits and would kill 2 or 3, then barbecue them for a real feast. We loved to visit him and Aunty Helen and would always go away with our stomachs stretched to the max. I actually haven't had rabbit since he died. I learned to drive a stick shift on his 1941 Buick, which he kept in great shape. Every time he would come to Tormey for a visit he would let me drive it around town.  As an adult he was difficult to get along with, the only one he really liked was my dad and the back east family. He didn't like Aunty Mary Macedo and Uncle Ralph, even though they treated him very well.  He was so bitter about being left behind that I think it warped his personality. My mom was also very nice to him and he loved her spaghetti."

He was married to his wife Helen and together they had a baby girl who would pass at birth. They resided at 4117 Allendale Avenue, Oakland, California. I am still searching records to determine exact dates of these events without much luck! 

Jordan would pass at the age of 82 on May 14, 1993. 

I met Uncle Jordan and his wife Helen at the age of eleven. My memories are vague! I do remember that he was very soft spoken, tall and very handsome! Aunt Helen very quiet reserved and very sweet!

Jordan Moniz

Helen, Jordan's wife...1956

Jordan's wedding to wife Helen...

Mario Moniz

Mario Moniz

In the parish of St. Peter in the year of 02/02/1910 was baptized Mario, who was born on St. Peter's Day, November 11, 1909, legitimate son of Rufino Moniz, civil guard and Maria do Rosairo, a domestic, natural 

of the parish of Santa Cruz, parishioners of St. Peter and street residents in the Ribeira de Sao Joao. He was the grandson of paternal Rufino Moniz and Maria de Freitas and maternal grandson of Jose Joaquin Monteiro and Augusta of the Rosary. Isidore was godfather John Figueira de Araujo, married, owner, resident in Calyada Pico, Henrietta Maria and godmother, single, resident of the Pico Frias. 

Mario arrived in America in April of 1920 at the age of 10 years, via The Black Arrow. He was the third son of Rufino and Maria del Rosairo.

Not much is known about this young man other than he moved to California in 1930 along with his brother Henrique. He worked on his sister Mary Vera's, dairy farm. He did have a girlfriend who was the sister of Henrique's wife Frances. Her name was Mary. Mario would pass in 1930 of possibly lockjaw (tetanus). 

His nephew Henry writes: "My Aunty Mary from Crockett would tell me all about life at the dairy and how Aunty Mary from Oakland would protect her from all of the rowdy ranch hands. She also told me that she had a huge crush on Uncle Mario, who was working at the dairy for a while. She was devastated when he died at the young age of 21, in 1930. He is buried with my Uncle Ralph and Uncle Jordan’s first born daughter in the same grave. He died allegedly of lockjaw. Grandfather attended his funeral and my Aunty Mary from Crockett said grandfather asked the funeral director to open the casket at the grave site one more time so he could see his son for the last time. Very tragic for the whole family. I visit their grave site often, as well as all  of my other relatives that are buried there. Hope this adds a little bit to the chapter of our heritage." 

How very sad and tragic indeed! More pain and sorrow for grandfather. He had now lost a son and a daughter, Maria Gloria. Mario looks like he was quite the character. look at him on the following page, far right. So sad for the entire family, I wish I could have gotten to know him. I have searched death records on ancestory.com for an exact date but with no luck. He is listed on several ship's manifests, however. I also believe he was in transition to California, as he is not listed in the 1930 census in New Bedford or California. It is fair to say that he died within months after his arrival to California, but not sure.

New information: I recently contacted the Alameda County Recorder's office, for a fee they would search all death records of cities and towns in Alameda County. Today I received information in the mail, Mario's official death record. 

It states that Mario passed on August 22, 1930, of Edema Glottis, (an edema caused by fluid accumulation in the soft tissues of the larynx. The condition, usually inflammatory, may result from an infection, injury, allergy, or inhalation of toxic substances.) 

The record further states that he passed at 12:20PM. There had been an operation and also an autopsy performed. There was no test that confirmed the diagnosis.  The certificate was signed by his brother-in-law, Joe Jardine of Rodeo, CA and Dr. John G. Sa....not legible. Providence Hospital in Oakland, CA was the place of his death, he was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery on August 25, 1930 by Curry Funeral Parlor in Richmond, CA. He had lived in CA for three years prior to his death. He was 20 years, 9 months and 12 days old. 

I am choked up writing about this as tomorrow, August 22, 2012, will be the 82nd anniversary of his death! Further more there goes that 82 number again! Several uncles and grandfather passed at the age of 82. I will say a special prayer for you Uncle Mario, I so regret that I never got to know you! May you rest in peace! 

Cousin Hank writes: "It was interesting to see what he died from. My dad said he stepped on a rusty nail and it got infected. He is buried in the old part of the cemetery among  many graves with people who passed in their 30’s and 40’. I’m sure Uncle Mario could have been easily saved with the antibiotics that we have today. Very sad.

"I was always told he died of Lock Jaw, but his death left many unanswered questions.  My mother always thought that it was an accidental overdose of anesthesia from his doctor when he was on the operating table....."