Rockport - José Carlos Vasconcelos da Silva, 56, of Rockport, passed away early Monday at his home. He fought a short but courageous battle with a rare aggressive cancer.

José (Joe) was born in Graciosa, Azores, on March 8, 1965, to the late Valter Espinola da Silva and Maria Ines da Silva Vasconcelos. He graduated high school and did a yearlong stint in the Portuguese Army as a chauffeur for military commanders. At the age of 23 he moved from Graciosa to Peabody, Mass. He worked at several jobs, including a leather factory and cleaning agencies. (All while going to night school to learn English.) In 1988 Joe started working at Walbar Inc. now United Technologies, in Peabody, Mass. He continued to work there up until his illness. Joe spent many happy years working and developing strong friendships with fellow co-workers.

Joe was an incredibly hard-working family man. Talented and excelling at tile work, building and all-around handy guy, he could "MacGyver" just about anything. He took great delight in tending to his flowers, yard maintenance and the upkeep of his home. He loved soccer and enjoyed watching his favorite team (Benfica) play on TV; he also took pleasure in walking and biking along Rockport's beautiful shoreline. Joe had a great sense of humor and liked to share a laugh with friends and people he met on his neighborhood walks.

Joe is survived by his wife, Nancy (Belmore) Silva, with whom he would have celebrated 25 years of marriage later this year, and his two cherished daughters, Isabel and Juliana. He is also survived by his mother, Maria Ines; and two sisters, Claudia Maria and Maria Silva and her husband John. He also leaves a niece, Kayla, and her partner Taylor Cabana; and nephew Kevin, and his partner Kaitlyn Russell and their baby Kaylee. Additionally, he is also survived by an uncle, Joáo Manuel Vasconcelos of Graciosa.

His visiting hours will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2021, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester, MA. Family and friends are cordially invited and are to adhere to COVID-19 protocols. His burial will follow in Beech Grove Cemetery, at the end of Pleasant Street in Rockport. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: cholangiocarcinoma.org and click on donate. Online condolences may be given at: www.greelyfuneralhome.com.