Mr. Manuel P. Cunha

December 17, 1936 - March 27, 2011

Manuel P. Cunha Loving Father & Grandfather LOWELL—Manuel P. Cunha, 74, a Lowell resident and the beloved husband of the late Maria G. (Bettencourt) Cunha, passed away on Sunday morning, March 27, 2011 at Lowell General Hospital, with his family by his side. Manuel was born in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal on December 17, 1936, a son of the late Antonio P. and Maria C. Cunha. He received his formal education in Graciosa. He was a Veteran and very proud of his service in the Portuguese Army. Manuel married Maria G. Bettencourt on September 24, 1960, and together they raised four wonderful children. They came to the United States on June 17, 1978 and settled in Lowell. Manuel was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church. Prior to his retirement, Manuel was employed as a machine operator at the Old Mother Hubbard Factory in Lowell. He was a lifelong member of both the Portuguese American Center and the Portuguese American Civic League in Lowell. Manuel loved to play and watch soccer. He had a passion for gardening and loved making wine. He was a very respected, hardworking member of the local Portuguese community in Lowell. Surviving Mr. Cunha are his four children, Antonio Cunha and his wife Telma of Lowell, Ondina Puzzo and her husband Philip of Lowell, Jose Cunha and Elizabeth Silva of Nashua, NH, and Telma Cunha and her fiancé Michael Racine of Lowell; his eight grandchildren, Marco Borba, who is also his God Son, and his wife Lorin of Littleton, MA, Danny Borba and his fiancé Caterine Orozco of Lowell, Christopher Puzzo of Lowell, Nicole Cunha and her fiancé Jeff Veiga of Lowell, Andrew Cunha of Lowell, Alexander Cunha and Loriann Roldan both of Lowell, and Cristian Cunha of Nashua; his brothers and sisters, Agostino Cunha and his wife Maria of Lowell, Antonio Cunha and his wife Maria of Tewksbury, Cidalia Pereira and her husband Carlos of Graciosa, and Rosalina Mendonca and her husband Jose of Lowell; his aunt, Crisolinda Bettencourt of Lowell; also several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Mr. Cunha was the brother of the late Maria Espinola, Jose and Albano Cunha, and uncle of the late Michael Cunha. FUNERAL NOTICE CUNHA—In Lowell, March 27, 2011 at Lowell General Hospital. Manuel P. Cunha, 74, husband of the late Maria G. (Bettencourt) Cunha. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL, TODAY – MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2011 from 4 until 8 P.M. Mr. Cunha’s Funeral will begin on TUESDAY MORNING at 9 o’clock from the Funeral Home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 o’clock at ST. ANTHONY’S CHURCH, 893 Central Street, Lowell. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Tewksbury. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Manuel’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222. www.faymccabe.com