Versão portuguesa aqui.

José Maria Tavares was buried, on the morning of March 15, 2012, in the cemetery of Algeruz. The ‘Zé dos Gatos’ as he became famous in the city.

He was not a distinguished artist, prestigious businessman or recognized sportsman. Anyway, there was nothing in life that distinguished him especially in this or that professional field. But he was one of the most popular figures in Setúbal. José Maria Tavares, known for decades as Zé Maluco or Zé dos Gatos, died aged 85.

All lands will have their dear and esteemed figures. And for that very reason, Zé Maluco was unique to us, those from Setúbal. Several generations of people from Setúbal got used to living with him in the streets, in cafes, in recreational societies or in other public spaces. All around her was joy and excitement.

Zé Maluco was already avant-garde before many of us even knew what that could be. And hence, perhaps, the nickname of Zé Maluco. He knew how to interest others in his displays. Whether with card tricks, at which he excelled, whether as a table football player, billiards player or bettor of exotic things, storyteller and charades.

And their “artistic” performances? A record in memory when, somewhere in the late seventies, without any prior announcement, he filled one of the squares in the center of the city with an audience with a self-covering session with marmalade, margarine and sugar (or flour) to the sound of yé soundtrack -yé. It was an ecstatic audience in front of an act that one did not know how to describe – and that the “artist” welcomed with evident satisfaction. There were many performances with which, over the years, he offered the public.

His love for cats was one of his strongest characteristics, welcoming at his expense dozens, hundreds of these animals, a demonstration that earned him his second epithet of Zé dos Gatos.

Zé, when I walk through the streets of the city, I will remember you and I will miss you and the moments of pure joy you gave me...