João Leite de Bettencourt

Following his time on the continent he returned to São Miguel to begin his professional career, working from the Fabrica de Lactincínios Loreto.[1]

He married on 10 December 1945, in the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, to Berta da Luz Botelho e Silva, daughter of José Silva and Maria Botelho.[1] He had four children: João Manuel, José Eduardo, Maria Palmira and Rui Jorge. José Silva, his father-in-law, was an important public figure in Lagoa at the time, and was likely an important influence on João Leite's interest in local politics and administration. In fact, for a good part of his life, José Silva was president of the local municipal council.[1]

In 1951, he joined the União das Fábricas Açorianos de Álcool, as part of the Fábrica do Álcool de Lagoa, when he began to work as their chief scientist and chemist.[1] Around the same time, he began to become involved in local politics, joining the municipal council of Lagoa as their Vice-President, during the mandate of Eng. Jaime Sousa Lima.[1] Sometime during this period he had time to travel to Barcelona, to begin a short internship in the area of fermentation, in order to improve his chemical background. He continued his European experience in 1958, with a trip to Belgium, in order to participate in the Brussels Exposition (the first exposition following the Second World War).[1]

Following his return, in 1959 he nominated to preside as president of the municipal council of Lagoa, initiating projects to develop the economy and social development of the municipality.[1] But, his tenure was short-lived, and within a year, he abdicated his position to his cousin, Eng. João da Mota Amaral. He continued to participate as Vice-President for the next three terms, before leaving politics in 1972.[1]

Meanwhile, in January 1964, he became the main property-owner the Fabrica de Cerâmica Lima (Lima Ceramics Factory), in order to perpetuate the memory and heritage of his maternal-grandfather, Manuel Leite Pereira, who was responsible founding the operation, renaming the venerable industry Cerâmica Lima.[1][2] His administration saw the expansion of the business, with 400 types of ceramics in various colours (in addition to the traditional white-and-blue), which they sold in their shops in Alminhas (Lagoa) and Rua dos Mercadores.[1][2]

Owing to illness, Bettencourt would sell his stake on 9 March 1973, on the eve of his death: he died on 12 March 1973.[1][2]

• Câmara Municipal, ed. (2016), Homenagem 100 Centenário do Nascimento de João Leite de Bettencourt: O Homem, O Autarca, O Químico e o Industrial (in Portuguese), Lagoa (Azores), Portugal: Câmara Municipal da Lagoa/Casa de Cultura Carlos Cesar