Sons pay tribute after co-founder of Gene’s Meat Market passes away

A well-known local business owner passed away late last week.

According to a social media post, on the 14th of April at 1:07 in the afternoon, Antonio M Cordeiro passed away in his sleep, peacefully and without pain, while surrounded by loved ones.

Cordeiro’s twin sons Derek and Tony stated that “he was born in the picturesque village of Lomba Da Maia on the tranquil island of San Miguel. But for all of the island’s beauty and majesty, he was born into poverty. Longing for a brighter future he decided to immigrate to New England. It was here where he built a family and lived the life he wanted of his own design. First, he worked in construction. A reserved Portuguese immigrant who learned to speak English from television and through trial and error, he eventually grew in his confidence to communicate.”

“During those early years he scrimped and saved and through every penny pinched he and his brother Jose would eventually come to purchase Gene’s Market on Brayton Avenue in Fall River.”

“He was the gregarious and perfectly coiffed gentlemen who was there to answer any questions related to various cuts of meat or to make barbecuing suggestions. He was the jovial man with the bright red coat behind the counter who was always ready to greet his customers with his supremely confident smile.”

The sons went on to say that after closing in 2013, their father Antonio was the reason Gene’s Meat Market returned in 2016, but this time on Route 6 in Westport.

“He was the sole reason we were able to even open our doors.”

Cordeiro passed along his knowledge to his sons to continue Gene’s tradition.

“We wanted all of our beloved customers, new and returning, to know how grateful we are for his support and guidance. Our father believed in excellent customer appreciation and having the highest exacting standards. We have learned a lot from this wonderful man, and we hope to continue in his tradition. We miss and love you dad. Rest in peace.”