Obituary of Jose Luis Soares Ferreira

José Luís Soares Ferreira, born November 5, 1954, in Santo Estevão, Chaves, Portugal, passed away on March 14, 2026. He was laid to rest in his beloved homeland of Chaves, Portugal, where he spent his final three years in retirement.

He was the cherished son of the late Agostinho Ferreira and Maria do Carmo "Quinhas" Soares Ferreira.

José Luís leaves behind his devoted wife of 50 years, Maria Fernanda Paiva DeMoura Ferreira, and his loving daughters and his pride and joy, Cindy Ferreira Nagy, Stephanie Ferreira, and Lucie DeRosa. He was loved by his sons-in-laws Christian Nagy and Anthony DeRosa.

His biggest accomplishment in life was his family, especially his eight beloved grandchildren—Rui, Katja, Julian, Leo, Joe, Kai, Anthony, and Alexandra—each of whom brought him immense pride and happiness.

He is also survived by his siblings, Fernando Teixeira, Etelinda Ventura, Manuel Ferreira, and Rosa Maria Ferreira, along with many beloved nephews and nieces.

José was a man of vision and determination. After spending his early years between Portugal and France, he carried a lifelong dream of building a life in the United States. In 1985, he made that dream a reality, immigrating to America with his wife and daughters in pursuit of opportunity and a better future.

A hardworking entrepreneur, José built a well-known construction business, Ferreira Drywall, in Bridgeport, CT, earning the respect of his Portuguese community through his dedication and craftsmanship. He spoke four languages fluently, a reflection of both his intelligence and his journey across countries and cultures.

Beyond his work, José had a passion for winemaking and took great pride in cultivating his own vineyards in both the United States and Portugal.

José was known for his contagious personality and his ability to draw people in—he truly loved being around others and made everyone feel welcome. He was a gifted storyteller, someone who could captivate a room with his words and experiences. Generous to his core, he always put others before himself and gave freely, whether it was his time, his advice, or his support. He was deeply loved by all who knew him.

In recent years, he returned to Portugal to retire, where he built a home that became a gathering place for family vacations and cherished memories.

He leaves behind a powerful legacy through his daughters and grandchildren, who will continue to carry forward his values, culture, ambition, and tireless work ethic for generations to come.

"Daddy, thank you for everything you built, everything you gave, and the love you never stopped showing us. We will carry you with us always. Beijinhos das tuas Cridóleiras."

A Memorial Service will be planned at a future date in the United States.