Encarnacao Family Fund

The Encarnacao Family Fund was renamed following the merging of funds named in memory of Julio and Olivia Encarnacao and John B. Encarnacao.

The Julio & Olivia Encarnacao Fund was created in honor of the parents of John Encarnacao, a member of the School Committee. The Encarnacao family was very well-known in Wakefield. Julio Encarnacao was a native of the Cape Verde Islands and was employed for nearly 30 years at the Wakefield Theatre and later the Melrose-Wakefield Trust Company. He died in 1979. Olivia Encarnacao resided in Wakefield for 50 years and died in 1984. At the time of his death, Julio and Olivia had 8 children, 46 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren

John B. Encarnacao was born on June 24, 1938, and died on October 31, 2014. His fund was started by his family, wife Trudy, and children of John, Anthony, Kristina, Andrea, Martin, and Nicole to honor the memory of a person who gave of himself to his beloved town of Wakefield, his country, and his family throughout his life.

John was a graduate of Wakefield Memorial High School Class of 1956, attended Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He was a graduate of Command and General Staff College. He was a Program Manager at the Office of State Quartermaster, and served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard from 1959 to 1995, retiring as Colonel.

He was the recipient of numerous federal awards including Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal-1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal- 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.

His awards from the state of Massachusetts include MA Medal of Merit, MA Medal of Merit (second award), MA Service Medal, and MA Emergency Service Ribbon.

John gave a great deal to the town of Wakefield. He served for 21 years on the School Committee, 6 times as Chairman and 3 times as Secretary to the Chairman 3 times. He was appointed by the Town Moderator as a member of the School Space Needs and Building Committee, where he was elected by his fellow members as Chairman and served in that role for 11 years.

John was active in many organizations. He was a Member of the Crystal Community Club, serving as President from 1988-to 1989. He was a member of the Recreation Committee and also was a volunteer Pop Warner Football coach.

For his contributions to Wakefield, John was selected by the WSSC Parade Committee to be the Grand Marshall of the 1984 July 4th Parade, and the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce honored him as the 1991 “Citizen of the Year.”

This fund honors the Encarnacao Family, their service to others, and their love for the town of Wakefield.