Stephen W. Tavares Sr.

Stephen Wayne Tavares, Sr., age 63, of Taunton, passed away on Thursday April 10, 2025, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Inpatient Center in Providence, RI. He was the longtime partner of the late Madeline Frates.

Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Joseph R. Tavares and Phyllis R. (Rogan) (Johnson-Smith) Tavares.

Stephen previously worked as a carpenter for several years. He had a great sense of humor, and loved being outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in New Hampshire, especially at Long Pond. Watching hockey was also a favorite hobby, and he took pleasure in the company of friends and his beloved cat.

He is survived by his children, Stephen W. Tavares, Jr. and his wife Jennifer Gaskell, Melissa J. Tavares, and Amanda Aguiar and her husband Jose Aguiar, all of Fall River, and Nevin J. Frates and his wife Stefanie of Taunton; his grandchildren, Kyle Maxim, Makayla Sevasin, Austin, Tavares, Amber Buchanan, Jacob Reynolds, Kattie (Tavares) Botelho, Kaccie Hobbs, Kristian Hobbs, Jeffrey Pires, Jr., Cameron Merkt, Destiny Aguiar, and Benjamin Frates; five great grandchildren; Sophia Botelho, Ashton Botelho, Mi’Lynn Reynolds, Carter Merkt, and Jasmine Tribou; four brothers, Phillip Johnson-Smith, George “Herb” Johnson-Smith, Dennis Tavares, and Jerry Tavares; three sisters, Charlotte “Chicki” Burgo, Rose-Ann Blanchard, and Carole Tavares Medoza; and many nieces and nephews. Stephen was grandfather of the late Koddie Tavares and Jose Aguiar, Jr. and also the brother of the late Joseph Johnson-Smith, Gunnery Sgt, USMC.

To honor his wishes, there will be no formal funeral services planned.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of Sowiecki-Snyder Home for Funerals & Cremation services, 69 West Britannia Street, Taunton, MA

For online condolences, please visit us at www.sowieckifh.com or on Facebook at Sowiecki-Snyder Home for Funerals & Cremation Services.