John Edward "Eddie" Tavares passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at his home in Woodbridge. He was 85 years old.

Born on December 9, 1940 in Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal to the late John and Evelina Tavares, he came to the United States in 1949 and resided in Elizabeth before moving to Woodbridge 55 years ago.

Mr. Tavares was employed in emergency power service and generator repair with SBP Industries in South Plainfield for 35 years before retiring in 2022.

He was a United States Army veteran and communicant of Saint James Catholic Church in Woodbridge. He enjoyed automotive repair and landscaping.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sister, Mary Danatzo.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Frances Nigro Tavares; sons, John E. Tavares, Jr. and his wife, Katie, of Bend, OR and Joseph Tavares of Woodbridge; sisters, Otilia Prachthauser of Manahawkin and Marianne Cabral and her husband, Tony, of Fayetteville, NC; brothers, Leonard Tavares and his wife, Marlene, of Linden and Daniel Tavares and his wife, Linda, of Catasauqua, PA; and grandsons, Elijah and Logan Tavares.

Funeral services will take place on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. from Costello-Greiner Funeral Home, 44 Green Street, Woodbridge. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. at Saint James Catholic Church, Woodbridge. Cremation will be private. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Sunday, March 22, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Contributions to Saint James Food Pantry, 174 Grove Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 in Mr. Tavares' memory would be greatly appreciated by his loved ones.