Jose "Djedje de Bai" Tavares, 98, of New Bedford died March 16, 2026 at Charlton Memorial Hospital.
He was the husband of the late Olinda "Maia" (Pires) Tavares.
Born and raised in Brava, Cape Verde, son of the late Maria D. (Tavares) Fortes, he has lived in New Bedford since 1967.
Mr. Tavares was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
He enjoyed gardening and casinos.
Mr. Tavares was employed by Cliftex for 21 years until his retirement.
Survivors include his 3 sons, Manuel Tavares and his wife Maria of Providence, RI, Raimundo Tavares and his wife Elisabeth, and Julio Tavares, both of New Bedford; his 4 daughters, Eugenia Freeman, Ana Bence, and Maria Ifradei all of New Bedford, and Susan Silva and her husband Ramiro of Rehoboth, MA; his daughter-in-law, Dominga "Eguete" Tavares of Longwood, FL; a brother, Napolean "Pulao" Almada and his wife Dinora "Toia"; a sister, Ana "Nana" Tavares of New Bedford; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Henrique "Djica" Tavares and the brother of the late John Baptista.

His Funeral will be held on Monday, March 23rd at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, March 22nd from 2-5 PM.