Gaspar M. Dias, 77, Portuguese Army Veteran

Gaspar M. Dias, 77, of Haverhill, husband of Celina Andrade (Pequeneza) Dias, passed away August 4,  at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston.

Born in Terceira, the Azores, Portugal, he was the son of the late Jose and Deolinda (De Jesus) Dias. He was raised and educated in the Azores Islands and came to the United States in 1968, settling in Cambridge. He moved to Haverhill in 1988 and has resided in the city for 29 years. Dias was a veteran of the Portuguese Army, serving in Angola before moving to the United States. He was employed as a mechanic for St. Johnsbury Trucking Company for many years and also worked at Boston University in sanitation. He loved to play games on the computer and enjoyed working in his and his children’s yard.

In addition to his wife Celina he is survived by his children, Shawn A. Dias and Charles Pollano of Haverhill, Roberto A. Dias of Haverhill, Michelle A. Cabral and her husband Jerry of Haverhill, and Charlie Hill, whom he loved as a son; three grandchildren, Jonathan Cabral, Anthony Cabral and Brianna Cabral; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his nine siblings.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., at Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. Funeral services begin Thursday morning at 9,  at the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m., at St. James Church, Winter Street, Haverhill. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Primrose Street, Haverhill.