Jose M. Nieves

José M. Nieves Sr., affectionately known by many as “Cheo,” passed away on September 22, 2026, at the age of 93. A devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, pastor, missionary, elder, and friend, José leaves behind a legacy deeply rooted in faith, family, service, and an extraordinary love for people.

Born on June 4, 1933, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, José was the son of Juana Nieves and José Sindo Nieves, who passed away while he was still young. The experiences of his early life helped shape a man of perseverance, strength, compassion, and profound faith in God.

José devoted much of his life to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He served as a pastor and missionary, helping establish churches in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Britain, Connecticut. Before settling into his longtime church home, he had already helped open churches in New Britain. In 1972, he began attending what would become Iglesia Casa de Esperanza, during the congregation's early days at the place lovingly remembered as “La Cuevita Dulce.” He would remain part of that church family for decades, serving faithfully for many years as an elder until illness eventually limited his ability to serve as he once had.

But ministry for José was never confined to a church building or a title.

He loved to sit at the table with his Bible open before him, reading Scripture, studying, and filling pages with notes. He loved talking about the Word of God with anyone willing to listen. He sang for the Lord and had a special love for taking the Psalms and putting them to music. Sharing the Good News was not simply something José did—it was woven into the person he was.

His faith could be heard in his words, but perhaps even more powerfully, it could be seen in the way he lived.

José was truly a people person. He could strike up a conversation with almost anyone. He greeted people warmly, smiled freely, loved to laugh, and often tried to make those around him laugh as well. Even during his final days in the hospital, while facing his own illness, José continued greeting those caring for him with warmth and trying to bring smiles to the people around him.

Those who knew him will also remember the expressions that became unmistakably his. Among them was the simple reminder he loved to give:

“Don't forget, Jesus loves you.”

And, with that familiar touch of Cheo's personality and humor:

“Pórtate bien, que lo tuyo va caminando.”

Outside of ministry, José worked for many years as a machine operator in several factories, including Stanley Works and later Cold Metal Products. He was a hardworking man who understood responsibility and the importance of providing for his family.

And when the Bible wasn't in his hands, there was a good chance José was enjoying one of his other favorites. He loved baseball and his New York Yankees, and he enjoyed watching professional wrestling. These simple pleasures were part of the man his family knew and loved—the pastor and Bible student who could also sit down and enjoy a Yankees game or some wrestling.

Above all, however, José loved his family.

He was the proud father of his two sons, José M. Nieves Jr. and Elihu I. Nieves, whom he shared with his former wife, Widillia Nieves. He was a beloved grandfather to Emily Nieves and Diany Marie Nieves, and a loving great-grandfather to Lucía Escutia.

José is also survived by his siblings Felicita Cruz and Felipe Colon. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by three brothers and two sisters.

To his family, José was far more than the titles by which the rest of the world knew him. He was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was someone from whom you could learn simply by watching the way he lived. He taught not only through his words, but through his example—through his faithfulness, his perseverance, his love for God, and the way he treated people.

His family and those who loved him will deeply miss his smile, his humor, his conversations, his singing, his prayers, his Bible always nearby, and simply having him there.

Yet the faith José spent his life proclaiming is also the faith in which his family finds comfort today. They grieve his absence while holding firmly to the Christian hope that death does not have the final word and that, through Jesus Christ, there is the promise of resurrection and reunion.

The pulpit may have been one place where José preached the Gospel, but his life was his longest sermon.

And perhaps one of the best ways to honor his memory is to remember the message he so often left with others:

“Don't forget, Jesus loves you.”

José's family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, September 28, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home. His burial will take place on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery.

His earthly journey has ended, but the faith he shared, the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the example he left behind will continue to speak for generations.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Matthew 25:23