MA State Rep. Fernandes Honors Two Milford Residents on Portuguese Heritage Day

From the Office of Representative John V. Fernandes:

“Representative Fernandes Honors Award Two Milford Residents at the 32nd Annual Heritage Day of Portugal Event”

Representative John V. Fernandes (D-Milford) recently presented Heritage Day of Portugal Awards to two honorees from Milford at the 32nd Annual Heritage Day of Portugal Awards Celebration held on June 7th at the State House.

Rep. Fernandes nominated Salazar da Costa Roque and Maria Morais of Milford for their dedication to the advancement of Portuguese-Americans throughout the Commonwealth, as well as for their individual contributions to the Milford Community.

“These awards have become a time-honored tradition to highlight the achievements in Massachusetts Portuguese-American community, which is growing more every year,” said Representative Fernandes. “It was a special honor for me to nominate Salazar and Maria for this recognition, as they exhibit all of the selfless characteristics and positive qualities that everyone in the Commonwealth, regardless of their nationality, can appreciate and value.”

Biographical Information:

Salazar ‘Sal’ da Costa Roque was born in 1961 in Macau, which at the time was a Portuguese colony in Asia. Macau’s sovereignty was transferred to China in 1999. Along with his siblings and parents, Salazar spent the second half of his childhood in Mozambique, Africa, from 1967 to 1974. Sal eventually relocated to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he completed his education as a Data Communications Technologist. Salazar worked in Satellite Communications at Brazil’s national telecommunications company until 1986, when he moved to the United States to join his family.

He has been a proud resident of Milford, Massachusetts ever since, which has a vibrant Portuguese community. Sal readily acclimated to his new home, working as a translator, an interpreter, a travel agent and even a notary public. Sal established a helpful reputation as being able to communicate in two different languages, which involved directly translating for local residents.

In the late 1980s, Sal served as an Outreach Coordinator for the Milford Town Library, where he helped bring books, audio-visual devices and other material in Portuguese to Milford residents. He routinely coordinated events with the Portuguese Consulate in Boston. In the 1990s, Sal served as editor in the publication of a local monthly Portuguese paper, which brought local news and timely information to Portuguese speakers in the Milford region.

In his 20 years of service at Central Mass Travel Agency in Milford, Sal provided volunteer service in the form of free translations, as well as notarized document service to the community. In 2001, Sal also served as a medical interpreter at the Milford Regional Medical Center, where he is currently employed as an information system administrator. As a founding member of the Portuguese Cultural Alliance in Milford, Sal continues to help promote the Portuguese heritage in Milford, showcase cultural events and offer free English classes to residents.

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Maria Morais was born in Negroes Montalegre, a small village in northern Portugal and migrated to the United States with her parents, Julio and Maria Peniche. Being the oldest of five children, Maria was six years old and went right into first grade at the old West Street School. Maria was the first in the family to learn English. With her English language skills, she helped her parents and siblings transition to America and study for their American Citizenship test. Maria played a major role in sponsoring the remaining family members to come into this nation from Portugal.

Maria started her banking career in 1980, working part time during high school at the Milford Savings Bank. Upon her graduation from Milford High School in 1981, Maria became a full time employee at the bank, while also taking classes at Babson School of Finance. Maria enjoyed helping out the bilingual clients that came in to open accounts, who always reminded her of how hard her parents and other Portuguese immigrants worked. Maria played a direct role in aiding these clients and their families strive for a better life.

After 33 years in banking, Maria obtained a position with the Town of Milford, where she continues to interpret. Maria became the first woman secretary at the Milford Portuguese Club. Maria is also a dedicated parishioner and volunteer at Saint Mary’s of the Assumption Church, a member of the finance committee and the cemetery road reconstruction project. Maria has also volunteered at the Milford food pantry and the Relay for Life walk.

Maria is married to Joaquim (Jack) Morais, who also comes from a large Portuguese family.                                  

Photo: Representative John V. Fernandes (middle) is seen at the Massachusetts State House with Salazar da Costa Roque and Maria Morais (left to right) of Milford after receiving their "Heritage Day of Portugal" awards.