William Braga

William “Bill” Braga, age 97 of Taunton, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2020 at Marian Manor in Taunton.  He was the son of the late Manuel and Fannie (Rose) Braga of Plain Street and was the beloved husband of the late Amarie “Amy” Braga.  A lifelong Taunton resident, he graduated from Coyle High School, and was a communicant of the St. Andrew the Apostle Church, formerly St. Joseph Church, for over 60 years.  He retired from Reed and Barton in 1985 after 45 years of service as a solderer. Bill enjoyed baseball, ice hockey, golf, reading, listening to all types of music particularly opera, dancing with his beloved wife and spending time with family and friends. Bill and Amy met at a dance at Roseland Ballroom.  They had a marriage that was envied by all that knew them.  They could be found out dancing every Saturday night at Benjamin’s or other local hotspots.  They were wonderful dancers and rumor has it that they gave Fred and Ginger dance lessons.  They lived life to the fullest and were known for their parties at their home on Clifford Street. Bill is survived by his son Robert Braga of Taunton, his daughter Suzanne Chapman and son-in-law Ron Berti of Orlando, FL along with many nieces and nephews in the area.  He was preceded in death by his wife and his daughter Marlene Braga Colebourne. Mr. Braga’s funeral with visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 8:30 am from the Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square) Taunton, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am in Saint Andrew the Apostle Church ,19 Kilmer Ave, Taunton. Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery. Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the funeral home. Facial coverings and social distancing will be required during services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for masses in his name to the St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church or his favorite charities: Association of the Miraculous Medal, 1811 West Saint Joseph St., Perryville, Missouri  63775-1598 (http://www.amm.org/SupportAMM/donate.aspx) and Franciscan Charities St. Anthony Bread for the Poor, 3140 Meramec St., St. Louis, Missouri  63118-9968 (http://www.franciscancharities.org). For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com