Jose Pereira

Jose Pereira, 91, of Manhattan, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Jose was born in Puente Barjas, Spain, to Alberto and Rosalia Pereira. From a young age, he understood the value of hard work, stepping up early in life to help support his family. That sense of responsibility and dedication would define him for the rest of his life. He began working doing construction, taking on any job he could to provide, always placing family above all else. In time, Jose moved to Venezuela, where he built a new chapter of his life working as a taxi driver. It was there, at a dance gathering for those hoping to meet someone special, that fate intervened. Jose met the love of his life, Concepcion. The two quickly became inseparable and were married on August 30, 1957. Together, they began building a life and soon welcomed two children. Determined to create greater opportunities for his family, Jose saved diligently. When the time was right, he and Concepcion made the courageous decision to journey to America in pursuit of the American dream. They settled in the West Village of Manhattan, where they planted roots and began anew. Jose discovered a passion for cooking and entrepreneurship, eventually opening his own restaurant, La Rioja, on Long Island. Built from the ground up through tireless effort and unwavering commitment, the restaurant became a beloved staple in the community. Jose took immense pride in his work and was known as an excellent cook whose food brought people together. Above all, Jose's life revolved around his family. Providing for them, caring for them, and ensuring their happiness was his greatest purpose. Though a man of few words, when he spoke, it was often with humor or quiet wisdom lessons that his loved ones will carry with them always. Jose found joy in simple pleasures. He loved watching classic Western films, especially those starring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. He was a devoted fan of Real Madrid and rarely missed a match. He also cherished the ocean and the beach, and he and Concepcion shared a love of travel. Together, they spent many summers in Spain with family and friends, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Even as their children grew older, Jose and Concepcion continued this tradition, treasuring their time abroad. Jose was a proud family man who built a life defined by hard work, sacrifice, and love. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished so deeply. He was predeceased by his parents, Alberto and Rosalia Pereira. Jose is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Concepcion; his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law, Nydia Pereira-Dos Santos; his daughter, Maria Pereira-Marquez, and son-in-law, Dominick Pace; his cherished grandchildren, Veronica, Michael, Brian, and Nicole; and his adored great-grandchildren, Ava, Nicholas and Christian. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. A Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Michael Hegarty & John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals and Cremation Service located at 3377 US Highway 9 Old Bridge, New Jersey 08857. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Michael Hegarty & John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals and Cremation Service, 3377 US Highway 9, Old Bridge, New Jersey. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.HegartyScaliaFuneralHome.com

Jose Pereira

March 17, 1935 - March 28, 2026