Dolores Jose

An icon in Mineola, known for her passion for soccer, her family and her heritage, Dolores Jose, 73, passed away peacefully in her home on January 5th.

She was born in 1950 to Irene and John Pereira, hard working Portuguese immigrants . She was raised in Mineola, along with her brothers Joseph and John. Her father, a founding member of the Mineola Portuguese Soccer Club and Hall of Fame member of the Long Island Soccer Football League introduced her to the “beautiful game” at an early age and her passion for soccer was born.

She graduated Mineola High School in 1968 and went on to marry Ilidio Jose in 1970, whom she often regarded as another force that contributed to her love of the game, a founding member of the Jamaica Portuguese Soccer Club and active participant in the Long Island Soccer Football League for over 35 Years. They would go on to have two children, Ann Marie (Bria) and David.

A people person, with unwavering energy, Dolores loved working in the many diners around the area. Starting her career at Woolworth’s coffee shop, then Appletree Restaurant, both in Roosevelt Field Mall, then to the Seacrest Diner in Westbury and retiring from the Park City Diner in Garden City Park. Being a waitress fulfilled her affinity for conversation and also afforded her the ability to devote so much of her time to the sport she loved so much.

Joining the East Meadow Wings women’s soccer team in 1978, Dolores played center midfield and goalkeeper, and forged life long friendships with many of her teammates. She also dedicated many hours to the Long Island Ladies Soccer League (LILSL) as coordinator and board member for over 45 years. Dolores was bestowed the honor of inductee into the LILSL hall of fame.

Her love of soccer and her children led Dolores to joining the Mineola Athletic Association (M.A.A.), as soccer coach for Ann Marie’s intramural team. She would continue on to coach David and many of the other kids in Mineola as she remained an active member of the M.A.A. for over 40 years.

Her passion for youth soccer expanded as she joined the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LISJL) and served in different committee roles for over 40 years and was inducted in the the LIJSL hall of fame in 2013.

But for the many, many people who knew Dolores, knew that her greatest achievement was her family. She lived for her children and her grandchildren. As “ma ma” to Olivia (Bria), Chase (Bria), Marcus and Emme she loved watching their sports and activities and proudly boasted of any and all of their achievements.

Dolores is survived by her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her son-in-law Jordan (Bria), her daughter-in law Lauren, friends turned sisters, her brothers, her many sister and brother in-laws , her many nieces and nephews, and by all the soccer community that knew her.

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning , studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing and learning to do ~ Pele

To continue her passion for youth sports and the M.A.A. the family has requested that in lieu of flowers you consider a donation to:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-dolores-jose-scholarship