John S. Dechaves, age 71, a long time resident of Taunton, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025 with his family by his side.
John immigrated to America in 1968 from Santa Maria Azores. He was the son of the late Antonio Soares Dechaves and Maria DaGloria Chaves.
John was a long time employee of TRW where he worked as a machinist. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, playing cards, cracking jokes and making people smile. John spent many summers in Hyannis with his family and extended family.
He was a dedicated fisherman and nothing made him happier than to have a fishing pole in one hand and a cigar in the other. John’s love for fishing and Cape Cod are gifts that he shared with his family and will forever remind them of him.
John leaves behind a large family that he loved with all of his heart; his wife and love of his life of 50 years, Maria Olivia Braga Chaves; son Dennis Chaves and his fiance Erin Smith; daughter Nancy DaSilva and her husband Brian; daughter Kimberly Chaves and her fiance Matt Rodrigues; grandchildren Colin, Colleen, Ray, Sophia, Lillian, and Daisy; and great grandchildren Kayden and Kyriee. Brother of Manuel Chaves, Antonio Chaves and the late Joe Chaves. John also leaves behind many sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, god children and cousins.
John lived his life everyday to the fullest, even when his health was declining he still made sure that everyone around him kept smiling and was taken care of. John was a great husband and father and he leaves his wife and children with a lifetime of memories, laughter, and love. May John rest in peace and his fishing days be endless.
John’s funeral will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 8:30am from the Silva Funeral Home 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square) Taunton, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in Saint Anthony Church School Street, Taunton.
Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, July 16th from 4 to 7pm in the Silva Funeral Home.
Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the funeral home.
For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook, to plant a tree in his memory or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John S. Dechaves, please visit our flower store.