José J. Serpa, 89, died Saturday, August 15, 2026, at his home in Stoughton, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on the island of Flores, in the Azores, Portugal, he was raised and educated in the Azores. He was a graduate of the University of Lisbon, Portugal. In 1964 he married Maria Julia Correia and together they enjoyed over 59 years of marriage and raised their four children, before her death in 2024. In 1970, they moved to the United States with their young family and settled in Stoughton. José graduated from Boston State College with his Bachelor’s Degree in Education and later earned several Master’s Degrees from Brown University, Boston University, Regis College and Boston State College.

José worked as a longtime, well-respected teacher and bilingual educator at Brockton High School, retiring in 2000 after over 31 years of teaching. José was a member of the Brockton Educators Association and the Massachusetts Teachers Association. He was a highly educated man who spoke 5 languages, enjoyed reading and writing and was a published author of his poetry. He was passionate about music, learning to play various instruments including the mandolin, guitar, and violin. Earlier in his life, he was a member of Club Luis de Camões in Stoughton. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his loving family and travelling often to his home in the Azores.

José was predeceased by his wife Maria Júlia (Garcia Correia) Serpa and is survived by his children, Maria Reardon and her husband Gavin of Shrewsbury, José Serpa and his wife Márcia Andrade Serpa of Milton, Cristina Matthews and her partner David Burke of Franklin, and Lena Serpa Kilburn of Franklin. He was the loving Avô to Kyle Matthews, Jake Reardon, Julia Reardon, Sofia Serpa, Nadia Serpa, and his grand-dog Riley. He was the brother of António DeSerpa of E. Bridgewater and the late Maria Cândida Amaral, Maria Angela Serpa, and Maria Teresa Correia. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Visiting Hours will be held in the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park St., (Rte. 27) Stoughton on Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 4-7 PM. Funeral will be held from the Funeral Home on Friday, August 21, 2026 at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church, Stoughton at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Stoughton.  In honor of José’s lifelong dedication to education and his students, a scholarship fund will be established in his name at Brockton High School. Those wishing to honor his memory may make a contribution to the scholarship fund, checks may be addressed to the Jose J. Serpa Scholarship Fund and sent to Maria Reardon, 43 Maple Ave., PO Box 655, Shrewsbury, MA 01545