Accomplished and gifted soccer player, former Fall River market owner, passes away, services announced

Joseph R. “Jose Maria” Carreiro, 74, of Fall River, husband of Natalia (Medeiros) Carreiro, passed away unexpectedly at Charlton Memorial Hospital on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Born in Sao Pedro, Ponta Delgada, St. Michael, Azores, he was a son of the late Viriato Carreiro and the late Herminia (Resendes) Carreiro.

Besides his devoted wife of fifty-two years, he leaves his loving children, Michele Carreiro of Fall River, and Paul Carreiro of Cumberland, Rhode Island; his brother, Viriato Carreiro and his wife, Gloria, of Fall River; brother-in-law, Daniel F. Medeiros; his nephews, Peter Carreiro, David Carreiro, and their children; and several cousins and godchildren.

After his family, his greatest love was the sport of soccer.  After immigrating to the U.S., he became an all-star player in the Luso American Soccer Association (LASA), a prominent semi-pro soccer league in the New England area. He played in LASA from 1969 to 1983 and was considered by many to be one of the greatest players in the league’s history.  He had his greatest success as a member of the Bristol Sports Club team in LASA.  While playing for Bristol Sports, he led the league in scoring in 1974/1975, was named the Most Valuable Player in another season, and helped his team to the league championship. He also later played for Academica Sports Club in LASA and on other teams until his retirement from the sport.

 In 1984, Joseph opened Mercado Victoria with his wife Natalia. In doing so, he followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a small business owner.  At Mercado Victoria, Joseph and Natalia served the community for 30 years with vast amounts of love and humor!

In addition to soccer, Joseph loved playing and watching many sports. He could often be found riding his bicycle around the city and working out at the Boy and Girls Club or YMCA. He was passionate about watching the Sporting soccer team, and well as all four Boston sports teams. He loved attending Rolling Stones concerts and Red Sox games with his son, and traveling to Europe with his wife and daughter. In recent years, Joseph took up playing guitar and drums and he enjoyed playing classic rock and pop songs with family and friends, particularly his godson Nathan.

His Funeral will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 9:00 AM from the Silva-Faria Funeral Home, 730 Bedford St., Fall River, with a Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated in St. Anthony of Padua Church at 10:00 AM. His visitation will take place on Friday, December 12, 2025, in the Silva-Faria Funeral Home from 5-8 PM. Committal and Interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.