J
oseph P. Braga of Somerville passed away on September 21, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 79.
Born in Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal, Joe immigrated to the United States in 1960 and attended Cambridge Rindge. Joe married his sweetheart Maria in 1970 with whom he shared a deep and enduring bond.
A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Joe leaves a legacy of 4 children who he raised with unwavering love and humility. Joe also leaves behind his 11 grandchildren who were his joy. His presence in their lives was steady, kind and full of warmth. He was always joking with them and he lit up every time they were near. He wanted the best for them.
Joe loved the peace of being near the ocean and he loved seafood. He spent his summers vacationing with family in Fairhaven and the Baia de Sao Lourenco on Santa Maria Island.
Joe was a curious man and loved to learn. He spent much of his time reading, keeping up with technology, staying current on world events and he always had a home project going on. He was extremely handy. Joe also enjoyed the little things in life like going out to eat and long drives with his wife.
Joe worked and retired from IBM. He was very generous but he didn’t just give material things. He gave his time, his advice, his knowledge and, most importantly, his love. His family will always remember him as the heart of their home. He is their constant, their comfort and their strength. His life taught them what it means to live well and to forgive fully. They are who they are because of him.
He was the devoted husband of Maria G. (Cabral) Braga. Loving father of Christopher Braga and his wife Donna Braga, Sandra Braga and her partner Anthony Rutkauskas, Jennifer Leonardo, Malinda Braga and her partner Dan Canavan. Cherished grandfather of Christina Braga, Juliana Braga, Marina Braga, Thomas Braga, Luke Leonardo, Mark Leonardo, Samuel Leonardo, Sonya Leonardo, Anthony Rutkauskas, Matthew Canavan, and James Canavan. Beloved brother of Aldora Figueiredo and her late husband Antonio Figueiredo, Gabriel Braga, and the late Laura Melo and her late husband Joseph Melo. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and many other loving relatives and friends.
Visiting hours at Rogers Funeral Home, 380 Cambridge Street in Cambridge on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
Funeral mass at St. Anthony’s Church in Cambridge on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 9:00 am.
Internment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Winchester.
Those wishing to travel in procession are asked to please meet at the funeral home on Saturday morning at 8:00 am.