Michael Joseph Gonsalves

Michael Joseph Gonsalves, 55, of Holly Springs, North Carolina, a North Attleboro, MA native, passed away on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC from complications following a fall in March.  He was the husband of Rebecca Jane Ennis, whom he married on June 4, 2005, in Marathon, FL.
Born in Attleboro, MA on November 25, 1965, he was a son of Nancy (Ilkowitz) Martin of Angier, NC, formerly a longtime Attleboro Falls, MA resident, and Arnold "Chico" Gonsalves and his wife, Jayne Gonsalves, of Warwick, RI.
Michael was raised and educated in North Attleboro, having graduated from North Attleboro High School in 1983.  He resided in North Attleboro and Fuquay Varina, NC, before recently moving to Holly Springs, NC.
He earned his Associate degree from New England Technical Institute and was employed as an engineer for Siemens Healthineers for more than 20 years.  Both Michael and his wife, Becky, were co-owners of the former Hook and Cleaver Meat Market in Fuquay Varina, NC.
Michael proudly and honorably served in the United States Marine Corps and as a member of the Massachusetts National Guard.
A lifelong animal lover, Michael served as a volunteer at the Attleboro Animal Shelter where he used his culinary skills for the annual Harvest Fest to raise money for the shelter.  In more recent years, he was a volunteer at the Paw Project in North Carolina.  He was always the first in line to rescue a dog and had many canine companions over the years.
He will be lovingly remembered for his love for barbecuing, listening to music, and being a dedicated fan to his hometown teams - the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.
In addition to his wife and parents, he leaves his two sons: Nathan Gonsalves and Ryan Ennis, both of Holly Springs, NC.  Michael is survived by several other family members, his extended family, and many dear friends.
Visitation has respectfully been omitted.
Family and friends are invited to join the family for a casual, relaxed celebration of Michael's life on Sunday, August 15, 2021, anytime from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Bass Lake Retreat Center, 908 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs, NC 27540.  Refreshments and appetizers will be served.
Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael and in honor of his love for animals, may be made to either the Friends of the Attleboro Animal Shelter, 27 Pond Street N, Attleboro, MA 02703 or to the Paw Project, 1294 Savannah Hill Road, Dunn, NC 28334.
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) 695-0200The obituary for Mike is incomplete at this time.