Emanuel "Manny" J. Cavaco

Emanuel "Manny" Cavaco, 71, of North Attleboro, MA died at Sturdy Memorial Hospital after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer with his wife and daughter by his side.   He faced it with the same courage and tenacity that he did with everything in his life.
Born in St. Miquel, Azores, he was a son of the late Manual (DaCosta) Cavaco and the late Idalina (Cabral) Cavaco.
The family moved from the Azores to Attleboro when Emanuel was 9 years old.  They became Naturalized Citizens of the United States in a ceremony in Boston shortly after settling in Attleboro.  Educated in the Attleboro schools, he graduated from Attleboro High School.  He went on to Bridgewater State College with the goal of becoming a history teacher.  After marrying and having a daughter, the family moved to North Attleboro.
While attending BSC, he became employed part-time at the Cumberland Farms main plant in Canton, MA.  He started out cleaning milk tankers, silos, and various other tasks.  He moved on to other positions and decided to make a career in the dairy industry.  Over time he took over many responsibilities of management within the company.  He oversaw the milk plants around New England and Florida. He continued to grow within the company until retiring after 38 years as Vice President of Manufacturing & Distribution
Once retired, he dove into spending time with his family & friends and taking on all the projects that he didn't have the time for while working.  He particularly enjoyed working in the yard and keeping it well- groomed and always looking beautiful.  He was an organized and detail-oriented person, and it showed in all he did.
He was a loving, wonderful husband and father.  Recently, having celebrated 50 years of marriage with Jo-Ann. He adored their daughter, Heather, and had many great talks with her about life, politics, and everything in between and always common-sense advice.  He gave the greatest all-encompassing hugs.
He was a wealth of info about history & geography.  He was a fun and generous man who always offered a helping hand to family, friends & neighbors. He had a deep booming voice that preceded him into any room.  He laughed easily which enhanced that wonderful voice and came in handy when trying to get his point across. Just some of the many things he will be missed for.
In addition to his wife, together for 54 years, he leaves a daughter:  Heather Cavaco of Wrentham, MA; a brother:  Joseph Cavaco and his wife, Joan, of Come by Chance, NL, Canada; his sisters: Grace Burek and her husband, Bob, of Atlanta, Georgia and Herminia Pereira of Rehoboth, MA; his brothers-in-law: George W. Evans, Sr. of  North Attleboro, MA and Gary Arnold of North Providence, Rhode Island and many nieces and nephews.    He was the brother of the late Joan Arnold who had resided in North Providence, Rhode Island.
Services will be private.
Manny's family would like to thank all the friends that never failed to call regularly to see how things were going and all the doctors and nurses who guided him through this cancer journey.   Special thanks to Dr. Latif and staff and all the girls in the Oncology Department of Sturdy Memorial hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Foundation - Oncology Department, Lenore's Food Pantry in North Attleboro or to the North Attleboro Animal Shelter.
For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleborough. (508) 695-0200