Jose M. "Padre Ze" Deserto, age 74, beloved husband for 42 years of Maria ( Abreu) Deserto of Peabody , died unexpectedly at the Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center, Boston on Friday, November 16, 2012.


Born in San Martinho Seia Portugal the son of the late Jose Do Vale Deserto and the late Sebatiana Dos Santos (Montiero) Deserto , he was educate in Portugal.He then proudly served in the Portuguese Army prior to coming to the United States and settling in Peabody. For 30 years, Mr. Deserto was employed by Travel Leather in Peabody until his retirement. He enjoyed gardening, watching his favorite Portuguese soccer team, Benfica and spending time with family, friends and his duck.


In addition to his wife, Mr. Deserto is survived by his children Filomena Deserto of Peabody, Sebastiao Deserto of Chandler, AZ, and Lolly Summit and her husband Zeke of Peabody; three grandchildren Cassandra Lynne Summit, Sara-Marie Wright and Spencer Ryan Summit as well as two surviving brothers, Alfredo Dezerto and Antonio Do Vale of Portugal.


His funeral will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 8:00 AM from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St (corner of North ST) Salem, to be followed by a funeral Mass at 9:00 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 50 Walsh Ave Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hour will be on Tuesday, Nov 20, 2012, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions be made to Jose M Deserto Memorial Fund, c/o Marblehead Bank, 100 Cummings Center, Beverly, MA 01915. The proceeds will be divided by the family to benefit the Merrimack College Pep Band and the Banda Recreativa de Santa Marinha, Seia Portugal. For online guest book or additional information and online guest book please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.