Natalino Braga Marquinhos

Natalino Braga Marquinhos, 94, of New Bedford, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on January 4, 2026. He was the devoted patriarch of a large, loving family and a respected figure in the New Bedford fishing community.

Born in São Jacinto, Aveiro, Portugal, Natalino's life was forever tied to the sea. In Portugal, he worked in the cod fishing sector as a dragger, a profession that demanded the immense strength and resilience he became known for. In 1975, he immigrated to the United States, first settling in Newark, NJ, before making his permanent home in New Bedford in 1978. He continued his lifelong career as a commercial fisherman, where his expertise was so highly regarded that fellow captains and crews often sought his ingenuity and wit for advice on net repairs.

A man of profound faith, Natalino was a dedicated member of the Evangelical Church of the Nations. He didn't just attend services; he lived his faith through service, often seen driving other church members to and from worship to ensure no one was left behind.

While his hands were strong enough to haul nets from the Atlantic, they were gentle enough to soothe a child. Natalino was a provider who would do anything for his family. He was also a legendary jokester who loved to keep his family laughing. His grandchildren will forever cherish the memory of him being a "goofball," particularly his infamous prank of chasing them around the house with his dentures. Whether he was fixing broken nets or mending a heart with a joke, his ingenuity and "handyman" spirit knew no bounds.

Natalino was the beloved husband of the late Alzira Marquinhos, with whom he shared 58 wonderful years of marriage. He is now reunited with the love of his life in eternal peace. He is survived by his four children: Maria Marquinhos, Gracinda Ouellette, Carlos J. Marquinhos-Braz, and Manuel J. Marquinhos. He was the beloved grandfather who helped raise Carlos Marquinhos and Vera Clermont from infancy, and was the cherished "Avo" to Raquel Sylvia, Tiago and Alzira Esteves, Hannah and Gabrielle Ouellette, Haley O'Neil, Adam, Jacob, and Mya Braz, Ricardo and Natalino Marquinhos, and Paula Teixeira. He also leaves behind a legacy of many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Service Information: Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 9th, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home, 495 Park St., New Bedford.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 10th, at the Evangelical Church of the Nations, 129 Hathaway Blvd., New Bedford. Doors will open at 10:00 AM, and the service will begin promptly at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Rural Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Natalino's memory to the Evangelical Church of the Nations.