Antonio J. Santos of Chelmsford, MA died in his home surrounded by his family on April 9, 2017 after a long battle with cancer. He was born to Jacinto and Alexandrina dos Santos in the small fishing village of Sao Mateus da Calheta, Terceira, Azores on January 3, 1939. Antonio is survived by his dear wife of 54 years, Maria de Lourdes Santos and his two daughters, Margarida (Maggie) M. Santos of Lowell, MA and Maria L. Santos who is married to his son-in-law and fishing buddy, Julio C. Silva and is the mother of the pride and joy of Antonio’s world, his granddaughters, Sara Silva and Elizabeth Silva, all of Chelmsford, MA.

Antonio immigrated to the USA in 1970 and opened up a whole new world of opportunities for his family through hard work, dedication and commitment. For many years, he worked at Batesville Casket Company in Nashua, NH and Wang Laboratories in Lowell, MA. Antonio loved to create, whether with wood or with seeds. He is known for the incredible garden that he grew throughout his lifetime and for freely sharing the fruits of his labor with everyone.

He became one of the first merchants in the Azores to grow and sell flowers commercially. Antonio is pre-deceased by his brothers Alvaro and Leonel Santos. He is survived by his sister, Maria da Luz Brazil of RI. Antonio is also survived by nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews in the USA and the Azores. Antonio’s legacy is his spirit of giving and loving which endures in the hearts and minds of those who had the privilege to know him in this world.

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Wednesday, April 12th from 5:00-8:00pm in the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen Street CHELMSFORD.

A Funeral Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated on Thursday, April 13th at 11:00am in St. Mary Church, 25 North Road, Chelmsford. KINDLY MEET AT CHURCH.

Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to The Sophia Gordon Cancer Center at Lahey Clinic, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805.