Monmouth-Tony Braga, 85, of Monmouth, passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022 at home.
Born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts on August 3, 1936, he was the eldest child of Antone Braga and Elva Alison (Hayden, Braga) Alexander. He grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts in the close-knit Catholic Portuguese fishing and farming community. He spent his early years before school with his adoring Avos (Grandparents) , Antonio and Maria Braga.
Growing up he worked in the local bakery and machine repair in many of New Bedford's textile mills. His mechanical abilities would lead him down his career path. After high school he attended R.E.T.S. Electronic School in Miami, Florida and built his life there. He spent his career in Electronic Repair but he could repair anything. His skill set wasn't just radio, television and VCR's. It would later be DVD players, computers and printers. He rebuilt many engines, transmissions, appliances, and anything he took apart.
He was an avid motorcyclist owning many different kinds over the years. He was still riding his Harley until 2019. He was a gifted artist. After retirement he spent his time concentrating on his many oil paintings. His specialty was landscapes of places he had visited. The Rocky Mountains appeared in many paintings, from the years he lived in Colorado. He was an avid fisherman and gold panner while in Colorado. He invested lots of time in building model airplanes that could fly. He taught himself to fly each model of plane using computer flight simulators. He built two P51-D Mustangs, which are WWII era war planes and several Piper Cessna's and multiple glider kits.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years Florence Jean (Mills) Braga; daughter Tamara and her husband Darin of Monmouth, son Bill and his wife Kathleen of St. Charles, Missouri, son Chad and wife Nicole of Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren Tyler, Ryan and partner Tori, Sarah, Matthew and wife Taylor, Caley and Cierra; great grandchildren Harper and Corbin. He is also survived by his brothers, John and wife Sharon and Kevin and wife Lou Ann both of Port Charlotte, Florida, a sister Edythe and her husband George of Thornton, New Hampshire, and many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents, Step Father Julius, siblings Randolph, Robert, Kay and Gary Braga.
Private services for the family in the Spring.
Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop where memories and condolences may be shared at www.khrfuneralhomes.com