Joseph "Djedje" Goncalves, 85 of Brockton, passed away on Friday May 26, 2023, at home, surrounded by his family.

Son of the late Joaquim Da Costa and Laura Goncalves Da Lomba, Djedje was born on June 13, 1937, in Brava, Cabo Verde. In 1960, Djedje left Brava, and immigrated to Dakar, Senegal. There, he was employed as a house painter, carpenter, as well as other trades. In 1970, wanting to provide a better life for his young family, Djedje became a merchant marine and traveled the world many times over. After his retirement as a merchant marine, Djedje immigrated to the United States in 1977 and settled in Brockton to be near family. For a short time, Djedje was employed at Columbia Tanning before going to work at Litecontrol Corp in Hanson for many years before retiring in 2002.

Djedje was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was known for his great sense of humor, as well as his love of life. He always enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed gardening, playing cards, and working on many projects around the house. He was also a deeply religious man, and very involved in his church.

Djedje is survived by his wife Eugenia, who was the love of his life, his children, Joaquim Goncalves of Riverside, RI, Maria Serrano of Bridgewater, Helene Goncalves-Rouse and her husband Calvin of Dixon, CA and Manuel Faria of East Bridgewater; his grandchildren, Krystle Goncalves, Calandra Serrano, Ashley Serrano, Adryanna Monteiro, Bethanney Serrano, Etienne Serrano, Gabryella Serrano, Jazel Faria, and Madison Faria; his great-grandchildren, Tatianna Williams, Jaxon Rodrigues, Jota Monteiro and Xavion Serrano-Leite; his siblings, Autilio Da Costa of Brockton, Lidia Almeida of East Bridgewater and her husband Vasco, Amelia Fortes of East Bridgewater and her husband Alcides, Jaime Da Costa of Brockton and his wife Cheryl, John Da Costa of Bridgewater and his wife Bev, Domingas Penha of Brockton and her husband Joaquim, Deolinda Baptista of Somerset and her husband Frank, Manuel "Fuji" Da Costa of East Bridgewater and his wife Ana, Eugenia Da Costa of East Bridgewater, Maria Tourinho of Taunton and her husband Bill, Madeleine Girodet, Roger Girodet and his wife Christiane and Henri Girodet and his wife Rosie, all of Angouleme, France, his brother-in-law Jack Moreira of Kissimmee, FL and his wife Candida, his sister-in-law Candida Centeio of Attleboro and her husband George, and his sister-in-law Laura Martins of Boston. He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and his beloved godchildren Isabelle DeBurgo of Maryland and Mike Moreira of Rhode Island. He was preceded in death by his loving step-mother, Maria "Nica" Da Costa, and his siblings Maria Laura Goncalves, George Costa, Jacques Da Lomba, Jeanne Girodet, Charles Girodet, Jean Girodet, Genevieve Girodet and Georges Girodet.

Djedje was a kind, loving and generous man who always put others before himself, This was especially true when it came to his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Funeral from the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Tuesday, June 6th at 9:00 AM followed by a funeral mass in St. Edith Stein Church, 71 East Main St., Brockton at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Visiting hours Monday, June 5th from 4:00-8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Edith Stein Parish in Djedje's name.