Jacinto "Jack" Lacerda

Our dad, Jacinto Lacerda, was born in his family's house on December 1, 1926, in Newark, NJ, to the parents of Alda and Pedro Lacerda. When he was two years old, Dad and his parents went back to Portugal where he was raised in Lisbon. Dad would always tell us his stories about how he lived by the ocean and enjoyed fishing for mussels with his siblings. When he was seventeen, Dad returned to the United States. When Dad became of age at 18 years old he served proudly in the United States Navy in World War Il where he was honorably discharged and returned home to the United States. On May 21st 1949 Dad was united in marriage to the love of his life, our Mom, Louise Ann Hughes. Together, they shared 76 wonderful years of marriage together, a beautiful life. Dad and Mom enjoyed dancing together their whole lives, they were beautiful together. Our Mom passed away on March 12, 2025

After Mom and Dad were married they lived in Newark, NJ where Dad took up employment as a baker at Calandra's Bakery. Everyone at Calandra's knew Dad as "Jack the Baker", a nickname that Mom gave him when they first met. He worked for Calandra's for over fifty years and he retired in his early seventies

Mom and Dad resided in Hillside, NJ for many years before moving to Union, NJ where they bought their first home, they continued to make wonderful memories together and rescued three cats there - Gypsy, Boo-boo, and Woofie. Mom and Dad enjoyed their companionship and loved them very much. When they sold their home they both retired to North Plainfield. NJ with their son Rick and their three cats. In retirement Pop loved to cook, he would enjoy making homemade pizza for his family whenever he could. He also loved visiting his brothers at barbeques and discussing the old days in Portugal. Plus Dad always loved a good card game or a game of checkers. In his free time Dad took up the hobbies of collecting stamps and coins. Dad also loved the Yankees and enjoyed watching the games with Mom, they also enjoyed watching old western movies together.

Dad loved his vacations to Seaside Park, NJ when his children were young where he would go crabbing and spend time with his family. In their older years Dad and Mom would spend vacations with their daughter Maria Elena, her husband Mark, and their grandson Jacob. Pop-pop and Nanny, as their grandchildren knew them, cherished all their grandchildren when they came to visit. At Christmas time Dad loved to make his special Portuguese French Toast and share it with all his family.

In Pop's final years he loved getting his weekly visits with his son Jesse, bringing over his favorite dessert Portuguese custard cups. Pop also enjoyed working on a large puzzle of Portugal with Rick and Jesse. A visit from his son Carl. who also was a Navy veteran, bringing over a World War Il cap for Pop's 99th birthday was always a favorite memory of Dad's. Rick, his son, devoted his time, patience, care, and love to both his parents until they both went to be with the Lord in Heaven

Mom and Dad had five children, he is survived by four, Jesse Lacerda and his wife Andrea, Canio Lacerda and his wife Linda, Rick Lacerda, his daughter Maria Elena

Lacerda Quick and her husband Mark Quick (deceased), and Ricardo (decesaed at birth). Our dad is survived by six grandchildren, Carl Lacerda and his wife Angie, Michael Lacerda, Vincent Lacerda, Joseph Lacerda and his wife Sherilyn, Lindsay Guarino and her husband Alex, and Jacob Quick and his wife Hanna. Dad is also survived by twelve great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Dad was one of six siblings, who are all deceased, Edmundo Lacerda a.k.a. Eddy and his wife Laura, Maria Martins and her husband Lionel, Alberto Lacerda and his wife Emma, Frank DeSales and his wife Jean, and his little brother, who passed away in Portugal, Arnaldo Lacerda

Pop was a devoted Catholic and loved the lord, his patron saint was Saint Joseph. He was a parishioner in his younger years at Our Lady of Fatima in Newark, NJ. Our dad will be missed so much by his children, grandchildren, god daughter, nieces and nephews. Pop also had a wonderful caregiver named Melrose Graham who gave countless hours of devotion and loving care to our dad and I know she will miss him dearly. May he rest in peace and be joined happily in heaven with our Mom Louise and their three beautiful cats. We love you Pop you were the best

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the South Branch Reformed Church (870 River Rd, Hillsborough, NJ 08844). Donations can also be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675) please make checks out to Wounded Warrior Project and include Jacinto Lacerda's name for acknowledgement.

Thank you for your service, in memory of our father Jacinto Lacerda.

Visitation will be held from 10:30-12:00Noon, Friday, June 5, 2026 at Bridgewater Funeral Home, 707 E. Main St., Bridgewater, NJ 08807 with a funeral service at 12:00Noon. Burial will follow at South Branch Reformed Church Cemetery, Hillsborough, NJ.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jacinto "Jack" Lacerda, please visit our floral store.