Jonathan Saraiva

From the Fairhaven Neighborhood News, Dec. 13, 2017:

Jonathan was born on January 17, 1985, in Kailua, HI, while his father Phillip Saraiva, a Marine, was stationed there. He also lived in Cornwall, SW England UK; New Bedford, MA; Acushnet, MA; New London, NH; and Boca Raton, FL.

Upon graduation from New Bedford High Scool, Jon tried out a few different career paths before finding his passion lay in working outdoors. He retained employment at golf courses in NH, at a marina in Florida, and most recently, as a fisherman working out of New Jersey, New Bedford and Fairhaven.

Jon's mother, Susan Saraiva, once asked him if he really liked fishing and his reply was typical of his nature. He stated that he really did, describing the peacefulness and beauty of the ocean and the wildlife. He specifically spoke of how much he enjoyed watching all the dolphins that would follow the ship. His family believes, if given the opportunity, Jon would have continued to go to sea. One of his Facebook quotes was, "Clammin Oh Yeah!!!!"

After spending time in New Jersey, Jon jumped at the chance to return home to work in Fairhaven when his former boss, Capt. Eric Arabian, offered him the position of first mate.

Jon never married or had children of his own. His family, which include his parents, Phillip & Susan Saraiva, his brother Brandon, sister Michele, their families, and their children, were a joy to him and a source of strength. Jon also had a great love for his pets, especially his dog Jada. In earlier years, Jon doted on the family dog named Penny. The family cat, Chloe, lived a long life thanks to the fact that he rescued her from coyotes that had been stalking her.

Jonathan was a very private person. He listened a lot more than he spoke and was a deep thinker. These are qualities his family has always respected and admired about him. The mutual love between him and his family was, and still is, unconditional and undeniable. He recently posted on Facebook, "Family means everything to me."

NEW BEDFORD — Jonathan A. Saraiva, 32, of New Bedford, passed away suddenly on Monday December 4, 2017, when the boat he was aboard sank off Nantucket.

He was the son of Phillip and Susan (Sutcliffe) Saraiva of Beaufort, South Carolina. Jon was born in Kailua, Hawaii and had lived in the South Coast area for many years. He was employed as a commercial fisherman.

Survivors include his parents, his brother Brandon Saraiva of Lakeville, MA; his sister Michele Munroe and her husband Shawn of Assonet, MA; his niece and nephews Noah Saraiva, Mason Munroe and Sofia Munroe. He is also survived by his uncle and aunt David and Yvonne Saraiva of Fairhaven; his aunt Madeline Marote of New Bedford. He is also survived by his cousins Tina DeMedeiros and her husband Rui, Shawnee Saraiva and Shanon Saraiva.

His visiting hours will be 5-8pm, Wednesday December 27, 2017, at the Boulevard Funeral Home, 223 Ashley Blvd. His burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Rise Up For Homes, C/O First Citizens Federal Credit Union, 200 Mill Road Suite 100, Fairhaven, MA 02719.

Misty Blue, a surf clam harvester, left Fairhaven for Nantucket Shoals at 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2017, with four men on board: Captain Eric Arabian, First Mate Jonathan Saraiva, and crew members Michael Roberts and Colby McMullen, At 3 p.m. on Monday, December 4, the ship reported that all was going well, but at 6:10 the Coast Guard received a distress call. Nearby fishing vessels rushed to the scene.

According to a statement by Atlantic Cape Fisheries, "the captain of the F/V Enterprise, which was working nearby, noticed the lights of the F/V Misty Blue going out, and steamed over to investigate. The F/V Enterprise was able to rescue from the water the F/V Misty Blue's captain, Eric Arabian, age 44, and one of the vessel's crewmen, Colby McMullen, age 22."

The Enterprise and two other fishing vessels, the Marriette and the Lauren, began searching for the missing crew members, and the vessel's life raft was found empty. The Coast Guard sent a motor life boat, an Ocean Sentry helicopter, and the cutters Albacore, Steelhead, and Tybee. They were joined by boats from the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office and the Dennis Fire Department. The search for survivors was discontinued at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5.

The vessel was located by sonar in 80-90 feet of water, 10 miles off Nantucket.

Two weeks after the sinking, on December 18, state police divers recovered the bodies of Michael Roberts and Jonathan Saraiva from the Misty Blue.