Obituary of Manuel Pires Rodas

Manuel Pires Rodas, 65, of Stratford, passed away peacefully on Sunday September 26, 2021 at his home in Stratford with his loving family by his side. Manuel was born on September 4, 1956 in Vila do Soajo, Portugal to Maria Do Canto Pires Rodas of Portugal and the late Joaquim Rodas. He immigrated from Portugal to the United States when he was 15 years old and went to East Side High School in Newark, NJ. He graduated in 1972 and moved to CT in 1979. He worked construction for Mercedes and Guerrera before becoming owner of Copa Restaurant which he owned for 22 years. He loved Copa and became a pillar in the Hollow. His customers were like family and he treated everyone with kindness and respect.

He had an infectious personality and got along with everyone. Manny as many people called him, had a passion for the game of soccer and was a huge supporter of Futebol Clube do Porto and the Portuguese National team. Many knew him for his love of Portuguese Ranch music and dance. He was the founder of the first high school Rancho in Newark, NJ called Labradores do Minho. He was also involved in Rancho groups here in Bridgeport, CT one being Aldeias De Portugal. He loved to travel especially to Portugal and dreamed to one day retire and live there with his mother and sister. He wanted to spend his days eating good food, drinking fine wine, and enjoying the company of his family and friends in his querido Vila do Soajo.  However, what he loved the most was his Family! He had an endless amount of love that he shared with them. You could often find him surrounded by his children and grandchildren who he adored especially his sweet Manuela. She was the joy of his life. 

In addition to his mother Maria, survivors include his three loving children, Melissa Rodas Stevens and her husband Chuck of Shelton, Jeffrey Rodas and his wife Laura of Oxford and Manuela Rodas of Stratford, his companion Milks Sofia Medina, of Stratford, six cherished grandchildren Landon, Owen and Declan Stevens and Jacques, Tristan and Scarlett Rodas, a sister Maria Couto and husband Manuel of Soajo, Portugal, his former spouse, Albertina Rodas, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and many dear friends. We want to thank the Swim Cancer Canter for providing our father with excellent care especially his chemo nurse, Josh and Vitas Hospice for making his final days comfortable.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. directly in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 429 Huntington Rd., Bridgeport. Interment will be private for the immediate family. A walk-through visitation will take place on Tuesday from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Visitors are recommended to wear masks and social distance as they walk through, pay their respects, and exit without lingering to ensure all guests can come through the building. 

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Swim Across the Sound c/o St. Vincent’s Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06606.