Joseph D. Rego, 75, of Summerfield, FL, passed away peacefully at The Brandley House on August 30, 2017. He was born in Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal on March 19, 1942, son of the late Manual and Cristina Dias Rego. In 1983 he was married to the former Jeanne Menard at Seamen’s Bethel in New Bedford, MA.
Before retiring to manage his horse farm, Trinidad Paso Finos, in 2004, he operated a lawn maintenance business in Punta Gorda, Florida, and a remodeling business in Westport, Mass. Mr. Rego loved the music of his culture and was an accomplished musician, playing the Portuguese guitarra and the guitar. He was a skilled carpenter by trade, and hand-crafted exceptional musical instruments as a hobby.
In his retirement years he became an avid bowler and was a member of several bowling leagues in the Villages.
He leaves his beloved wife Jeanne and his three sisters, Olivia Martins, Isabel Mello, and Constance Dias all of Massachusetts. He also leaves behind his numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. All he held very close to his heart.
A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Mark The Evangelist Church, 7081 SE Hwy. 42, Summerfield, FL. A memorial breakfast will be held in the church social hall immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Paso Fino Horse Foundation, Inc., an organization devoted to providing scholarships for youth riders, 4030 SE 219th Ave, Morriston, FL 32668
