Alfredo Dias DosSantos

May 28, 1926 – January 18, 2021

Alfredo "Al" DosSantos, 94, born May 28, 1926, joined his beloved Carmina on January 18, 2021, passing from complications associated with a stroke.  Al was born to Amelia (Távares) and Miguel Dos Santos in Ázere, Portugal.

His father had immigrated to the United States to work while his wife and younger children remained in Portugal running the family farm.  As a young man in 1945, Al convinced his mother to journey to America.  Al, his mother, and younger sister traveled by ship on the Serpa Pinto to the United States.  During the voyage, the ship was stopped twice, once by a German submarine and once by an American convoy.  Finally, Al and his mother and sister were able to join his father and older siblings in Chicopee, Massachusetts.

In order to remain in the United States, Al had to return to Europe.  This time he traveled as a guest of Uncle Sam and served in WWII as part of the occupation army.  He always recalled his days of service very proudly and remained a staunch American patriot for the rest of his life.  Upon returning to the United States and leaving the service, he became a citizen in 1947.

Al had apprenticed to a tailor in Portugal and that training served him well.  He worked as a tailor, pattern grader and maker, as well as in various occupations in the Massachusetts clothing industry throughout his career.

In 1950 Al married a young, petite beauty named Carmina Veiga whom he met in Chicopee.  Throughout their lives they remained devoted to one another, sharing many adventures, travels, and laughs along the way. They lovingly raised two sons of whom they were very proud. In 2001, they moved from Chicopee, MA to Minneola, Florida.

Al and Carmina loved to travel, and over the years they visited many destinations including Brazil, Spain, Portugal (two times), Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, Texas, and too many states to mention. He and Carmina also spent numerous hours ballroom dancing, playing cards, and socializing with their friends and family.

After his beloved passed away, Al continued to travel and went to Scotland, California, and made two more trips to Portugal as well as multiple trips to Montana, New England, and North Carolina.  His adventurous spirit, enthusiasm, generous nature, and zest for life never left him.

Al enjoyed his daily walks, playing with his sons' pets, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He loved playing solitaire, solving word searches, working in the yard, and listening to Portuguese music.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Miguel and Amelia, his wife, Carmina, brothers Vasco, Antonio, Miguel, Augusto, and Joseph, and sisters Patrocinia and Maria de Lourdes.

He is survived by sons Alfredo "Al" (Karen) DosSantos of Minneola, Florida, and Joseph "Joe" (Wendy) DosSantos of Noxon, Montana.  Survivors also include his grandchildren: Carrie (Gavin Duffy) DosSantos of Glascow, Scotland, UK; Sarah DosSantos of Pfafftown, North Carolina; Jason DosSantos of Chicopee, MA; Shana (Christian) Kosinski of Chicopee, MA; Ashley DosSantos & fiancé Ryan Egan of Leesburg, FL; and Jennifer (Paul) Whitton of Groveland, FL. Al also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Payson and Bradyn of Groveland, and Iyanna and DJ of Chicopee.

In addition, Al had many special family members and friends including his cousin, Mabel Santos, whom he grew up with in Portugal, his nephew Victor Augusto, his niece Carmina Paskowich, and his neighbor RaeAnn Smith. Many other nieces and nephews as well as good friends also survive him.

Al will be laid next to Carmina in the Florida National Veterans Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Visitation will take place at Becker Funeral home 10:00AM on January 27, 2021, Church services will be at 11:00 A.M. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and burial will take place at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

Please follow the link below to attend the live stream services

https://www.mybscc.org/live/

Arrangements are made by Becker Funeral Home, Clermont, FL.