Obituary of Jose Ribeiro

Jose Luis Ribeiro a Professor, Psychologist, and devout Catholic passed away at his home with his family at his bedside on Thursday morning, May 12, 2011. He was 72 years old. Jose was born in Moimenta, Portugal, the son of the late Francisco and Maria Ribeiro. His family’s sense of duty and concern for their neighbors as well as his thirst for knowledge would guide his life of service and education. His collection of degrees included a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from the Institute of Philosophy in Braga Portugal, Masters of Arts in Philosophy at the Portuguese Catholic University in Braga, Portugal, Bachelor of Divinity at the Institute of Theology & Philosophy in Dublin, Ireland, graduate courses at Universite’ De Louvain in Louvain, Belgium, Master of Education in Counseling Psychology and his PhD in Counseling and Psychology at Boston College, and a Post Doctoral Fellowship at the Harvard University School of Medicine. He received numerous certifications, became proficient in 5 languages, counseled those in need and shared his knowledge and joy for life with aspiring students around the world. Of all these distinguishing achievements, his most joyful academic accomplishment was meeting his future wife Elizabeth while studying at Boston College. Jose’s professional experience included being a missionary and teacher in Timor, Indonesia, Guidance Counselor at the Framingham Public Schools, Psychologist and Consultant at the Kennedy Memorial Hospital, a Psychologist and Counselor at the Cambridge Public Schools, a Professor at Lesley University. He also was the coordinator to the “Say Yes to Education Scholarship Program” under the partnership of the Weiss Foundation, Lesley University, and Cambridge Public Schools. He received the Portuguese American Cultural Impact Award. He was a Guest Lecturer, Consulting Psychologist, Expert Witness, Visiting Instructor, Drug and Alcohol Prevention Educator, Board member of the Cambridge Somerville, Mental Health and Retardation Board, and many other committees. Jose, with all his accomplishments, always focused on his most basic beliefs in family, home, and faith. He was a thoughtful and loving husband, sharing his interests and experiences with his wife. He was a caring and devoted father. He was a role model to his sons, a coach at times, and always a concerned and loving parent. It gave him great joy to have endured through his illness in order to gain a daughter in law whom he adored and to see the birth and first years of his granddaughter. He leaves all his family and friends with countless memories and endless love. Jose was the beloved husband of Elizabeth “Beth” (Boardway). He was the caring father of Paulo & his wife Elizabeth of San Francisco, CA and Lino of Lexington. He was the brother of Luisa da Silva Ribeiro, Maria Celina Ribeiro, Isaltina Rosa Pires Ribeiro all of Portugal and the late Helder Ribeiro. He was the proud grandfather of Francesca “Frankie” Ribeiro. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Parish at 21 Follen Road in Lexington on Tuesday, May 17 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers memorials in Jose’s name may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or to St. Peter’s Parish, Cambridge MA care of Father Leonard O’Malley. For obituary and online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net. Arrangements under the direction of the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, BURLINGTON