Obituary of Moses A. Saraiva

Moses Ascensao Saraiva, 80, a life-long Yonkers resident passed away peacefully on March 29, 2022.   He was born in Celorico Da Beira, Portugal on February 10, 1942 and immigrated to the United States with his new bride Maria De Fatima in 1961.  After several years he started his own business Moses Agency in 1971 on Palisade & Ashburton Avenue.  He began his business by working together with the Portuguese Consulate to help many Portuguese Immigrants come to the United States. His business expanded into Travel, Real Estate and Insurance.  Over his 51 years in his family business, he became a fixture in the Portuguese and business community.  

A strong community leader in his hometown of Yonkers, he was the director of the “Escola Joao de Deus” (afterschool program for children of Portuguese Immigrants), organized soccer leagues and was chairman of the associations events committee to raise the needed funds.  He was instrumental in working with other members of the Portuguese community in the establishment of “Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Portuguese Church” on South Broadway in Yonkers in 1973.  As an avid reader of Portuguese literature, he became a correspondent of the “Luso Americano” for decades.  As a result of all his contributions to the Portuguese community, in 2017 he received the Life-Time Achievement Award for the New York Portuguese American Leadership Conference.  A self-made man, he became an author towards the end of his life.  His legacy includes his teachings of strong family traditions and values and his dedication to the Portuguese community.  His passions included family get-togethers, travel, wine and soccer. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Maria De Fatima and four children, Moses, Ana Paula, John and Christine and five grandchildren, Tylor, Victoria, Justin, Christian and Ashley.

He is also survived by daughter-in-law Gina, Fiancée Rosa Amelia, son-in-law Darren, Fiancée Joe. And his brother Demetrio, sister Maria Helena. He was also preceded in death by his parents Rosa do Ceu Ascensao Saraiva and Alexandrino Saraiva.