Joao DeFreitas, age 65 of Newburgh, NY, entered into rest on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at his
family home in Newburgh. He was born on February 7, 1958 in Machico, Madeira Portugal to
the late Francisco DeFreitas and Augusta Martins.
Joao grew up as a public worker on the beaches of Madeira, growing up with his two brothers,
Antonio Martins DeFreitas & Manuel Martins DeFreitas and countless cousins. He completed
high school in Machico, Madeira Portugal and worked as a laborer for Local Union 17.
He married Maria Ribeiro Da Silva in the church of Criste Rey, Monte, Ponte do Sol in Madeira,
Portugal on January 22, 1983. Maria survives at home.
Joao loved to watch wrestling, loved to watch his son and grandson play soccer, and was an avid
soccer viewer. He loved to watch his fishing shows and was an amazing gardener. He enjoyed his
walks and took his role as grandpa very serious. He made it his main priority to make sure that
he was always available to get his grandkids on and off the bus.
In addition to his wife Maria, he is survived by his children: Sara DeFreitas-Ortiz and her
husband Wilson Ortiz, Augusta DeFreitas and Tony DeFreitas; his beloved grandchildren:
Amiliani Sisco, Amilio Sisco, Amiya Sisco, Amari Sisco, Joniel Hernandez and Juliana
Hernandez; his brother Manuel Martins DeFreitas and his wife and children; sister-in-law Rosa
DeFreitas and niece Neide DeFreitas; his nephew Miguel Trujillo and his wife and children;
sister-in-law Maria Silva; as well as several other family members in the United States and
Portugal. He is also survived by his family dog, Rocky.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Antonio Martins DeFreitas.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, August 27 at Brooks
Funeral Home in Newburgh, NY.A funeral home service will be held at Brooks Funeral Home at 3:30 PM.
Thank you to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan County, Medical Doctors of Montefiore Cancer
Center, and the Medical team from New York Proton center.