By Beth David, Editor
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After many delays, divers were able to recover the bodies of the two fishermen who went down with the Misty Blue on December 4, 2017. Michael Roberts 49, of Fairhaven, and Jonathan Saraiva, 32, of New Bedford were found not able to get off the boat as it sank in waters 10 miles southeast of Nantucket. The bodies were recovered on December 18.
Jonathan Saraiva, 32, was killed when the Misty Blue sank on December 4, 2017. Photo from Facebook.
Services for Mr. Saraiva were private, and were arranged by Boulevard Funeral Home in New Bedford.
A memorial service was held for Mr. Roberts on Saturday, 12/30/17, at Seamen’s Bethel in New Bedford. His burial will be private. Arrangements were handled by Rock Funeral Home of New Bedford.
In a statement after the sinking, Mr. Saraiva’s family asked for privacy. They said Jonathan was a very private person who listened a lot more than he spoke and was a deep thinker.
“These are qualities his family has always respected and admired about him,” they wrote. “The mutual love between him and his family was, and still is, unconditional and undeniable.”
After his body was recovered the family released a statement saying they had been praying for two weeks to bring Jonathan home.
“It is like reliving his loss all over again,” wrote the family. “We want to thank the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team, the Coast Guard and everyone who’s been involved for helping to bring our son Jonathan and Mike Roberts home. We also want to thank everyone for all the prayers and support during this most difficult time for our family.”
Mike Roberts, 49, of Fairhaven was killed when the Misty Blue sank on December 4, 2017. Photo from GoFundMe page
Mr. Roberts’s wife Tammy, posted a letter on Facebook from their four-year-old granddaughter Aaliyah, to her “Papa.”
“Aaliyah gives a picture to you. Papa loves me. Aaliyah loves you back,” reads the letter. “I am looking at your picture holding a fish. My Papa knows I am good. And Papa will always be my angel. Papa knows hen I am bad and bood. I miss my Papa. I love you Papa. Papa always went everywhere with me and Papa always hugged me.”
The letter and picture were included with the body when it was cremated. A family friend set up a GoFundMe page for the Roberts family at: https://www.gofundme.com/4tffqo8
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