João Pedro Leiras age 91, of Harrison, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at St. Michael’s Medical Center.
João was born on July 25, 1933, in a small town in Portugal, Alcaria, Porto de Mós, where he lived with his family and met his wife, Emilia Ferreira Picado. They married in the summer of 1958 and had three daughters. Their first daughter Amelia was born in 1959, Ana in 1962, and Natalia in 1964. They migrated to the USA in 1968, where they followed their American dream. Shortly after, they bought their first home in Harrison, New Jersey where they settled with their family.
João was a laborer on the New Jersey Railroad and thereafter, worked and retired from Nissan U.S.A. His love and passion for his family followed him for decades where he was blessed with eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and four in-law grandchildren, who he all loved and adored.
He was an outgoing man and an active member of the Portuguese community. At 91, he would drive, walk around town, play cards, and enjoy his daily cup of Portuguese wine, or two. No matter the temperature outside, you would find him wearing his collared sweater, topped with his U.S.A. cap. He loved sporting the American flag and enjoyed watching television shows of cowboys in the Wild West.
He is survived by his devoted wife Emilia Ferreira Picado Leiras and loving children, Amelia Leiras Pena, son-in-law Antonio Pena, Ana Leiras Frazão, son-in-law Fernando Frazão, and Natalia Leiras. His adoring grandchildren, Billy Antonio Pena, spouse Susana Pena, Diana Frazão Ampudia, spouse Darwin Ampudia, Kimberly Pena Rocha, spouse Jason Rocha, Amanda Frazão Yau, spouse Andrew Yau, Andrew Frazão, Johnathon Leiras, Emily Leiras, and Jacquelynn Leiras. Great grandchildren, Jayden Ampudia, Lucas Pena, Liam Rocha, Mason Rocha, Avery Pena, Nolan Rocha, and Zachary Yau.
Funeral wake and viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, located at 596 Belgrove Drive in Kearny, New Jersey.
Funeral mass service will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 9:30 am, in Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, located in 323 Harrison Avenue in Harrison, New Jersey. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a Mass to be said in his name at Holy Cross Church in Harrison or St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny.
