Former president of the Academica Club in Fall River passes away

A man well known to the Fall River area community has recently passed away.

According to his daughter Stephanie, 70-year-old Nelson Paiva, of Swansea, passed away Sunday, November 6, unexpectedly, in Portsmouth, RI.

He was the loving husband of Ana (Gomes) Paiva, of 34 years.

Born in Porto Formoso, Sao Miguel, Acores, he was a son of the late Jose Lima Paiva and Natalia Batista.

Prior to retiring, Nelson worked for most of his career as a wine sales rep. He was an avid soccer player, in his youth, and a coach for many years. Nelson was the former president of the Academica Club, in Fall River, a member of the Warren Soccer Club, Bristol Sports Club, Sociedade Cultural Acoreana, Azuis de Lowel, and a coach for the Juniors Academica team. He also loved music, and would sing in the Santo Christo Choir, was an avid fisherman, excellent chef, and, most of all, a loving father to his two daughters and dog, Murphy.

Along with his wife, Nelson is survived by his daughters: Christine Paiva, of Fall River, and Stephanie Paiva, of East Providence; his brothers: Dinis Paiva, of East Providence, Luis Paiva, of Portugal, and Antonio Paiva, of Somerset; his sister Maria Conceicao Athanassiou, of Wilmington, MA; several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Monday, November 14 from 4 – 8 PM from the Oliveira Funeral Home – South Main St. Chapel, 2064 South Main St. Per Nelson’s wishes, the family asks for no suits or black clothing to be worn by attendees.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Nelson’s name be made to Save the Bay 100 Save the Bay Drive, Providence, RI 02905.