Obituary of Manuel L. Braga

Manuel Louis Braga passed away on April 24, 2023, surrounded by family and friends, at Health First Hospice in Palm Bay, Florida, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Lou was the youngest child of Charles Braga of North Attleboro, Massachusetts and Mary Botello of Madeira, Portugal. He grew up on Aquidneck Island (home to Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth RI) with three brothers (George, Joe and Charlie) and two sisters (Agnes and Catherine). At age 19, he married his teenage sweetheart Nancy Rose Lincourt of Newport, who survives him after 68 blessed years of marriage along with their four children (Steve, Nancy, Susan and Lori), seven grandchildren (Jennifer, Jeremy, Cierra, Jason, Kelly, David and Jeffrey) and ten great-grandchildren (Avery, Ashley, Jackson, Haley, Emma, Wesley, Evie, Avery and Milo).

Lou attended the historic one-room Witherbee School in Middletown for his early school years. He ended his schooling at Rogers High, short of a degree, after his father’s heart attack required him to go to work to help support his family. For decades thereafter, Lou and his brothers George and Charlie operated Braga’s Television Service in Newport. Over the years, Lou repaired televisions for the year-round residents of Newport as well as the wealthy summer residents of its mansions along Bellevue Avenue. His favorite “work” story involved the time he was called to the Auchincloss Estate to repair a television for the boyfriend of the Auchincloss’s daughter Jackie who was recovering from a skiing accident. That boyfriend was future President John F. Kennedy, Jr., with whom Lou had a wonderful visit while repairing his television.

Lou was an avid golfer, playing most of his rounds at Wanumetonomy in Middletown, where he served as President of the Club. He also loved playing cards, usually Gin Rummy, and driving classic cars, especially his yellow long-nose Jaguar E. But what he loved most in this world was Nancy, whom he always wanted by his side.

Just short of 88 years-old at his passing, Lou was also a living historian of Newport, where he and Nancy continued to spend every summer on Goat Island. A celebration of his life will be held on July 27th at Wanumetonomy. Until then, may he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing!

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America [https://act.alz.org] or to HealthFirst Hospice [hf.org].