Obituary: Anibal Lopes Rodrigues, 85, of Monroe

Information and Photo Courtesy Abriola Parkview Funeral Home

MONROE, CT — Anibal Lopes Rodrigues, age 85, of Monroe, beloved husband of Dealmira Ferreira da Silva Rodrigues, passed away peacefully on Oct. 2, 2023, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family. Born on Aug. 8, 1938, in Sao Pedro de Agostem, Chaves, Portugal, he was a son of the late Antonio Jose Rodrigues and Elisa Lopes Rodrigues. He was a proud veteran of the Portuguese Army, served in the Overseas War in Angola and was a member of the CT Laborers Union. Anibal was employed by many local construction companies including Bridgeport Machines and Waters Construction, from which he retired in 2001. Upon his retirement, he and Dealmira returned to Portugal where they would live in Barcelos before returning to the U.S. in 2017. Anibal was a member of the Vasco da Gama Club and enjoyed watching soccer, especially the Portugal national football team and his favorite team, Sporting F.C. He was known around his hometown of Monroe, simply as "Pai".

Anibal was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He treasured his time with family and especially loved it when his grandchildren (and grand dogs) were by his side. The unconditional love he gave, the values he taught, and the memories created, will forever live in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

We will miss the stories he shared at dinner and the excitement in his voice when Portugal scored, his proud smile holding up the polvo (octopus) with Gloria before Christmas Eve dinner and the unique way he took the Christmas tree down each year, but more than anything, we will miss him.

In addition to his beloved wife of 53 years, Dealmira, survivors include his two loving children, Anibal Rodrigues Jr. of California and Gloria Ganino of Monroe, Connecticut, her husband Michael, three cherished and adored grandchildren, Michael, Jonathan, and Deanna Ganino as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Aduzinda Rodrigues.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 429 Huntington Rd., Bridgeport. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Monroe. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Monday from 4 – 7 p.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Anibal's memory can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter to honor his life and support causes close to his heart.