Manuel Furtado passed away surrounded by his family on November 30, 2017 at UCSF Medical Center after his courageous fight with cancer.
Manuel was born on the island of Faial, Azores Portugal to Joao and Silvina Furtado. In 1969 at the age of 18 Manuel came to America to fulfill the American dream with his parents. He lived in Boston for four months where the winter snow was too cold for the island boy and moved to California for work near his sister Maria and family. While milking cows on a dairy in Fresno in 1972 he met Judy Santos and six months later they were married.
Manuel and Judy moved to Escalon in 1973 and started their family and raised two children. Manuel worked at Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale for 30 years. Manuel was happiest in his almond orchard. He loved all the aspects of farming and the outdoors. His faith was very important, he was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Past President of Our Lady of Fatima Celebration of Escalon. Manuel’s faith of the Holy Spirit involved him to serve as a Member, Director and Past President of the Oakdale FES. He was the president for the FC Azores Soccer Club of Escalon. Manuel loved his Portuguese culture and was a member of many Portuguese organizations throughout the valley. Manuel loved to travel with his wife and family, especially his yearly trips to the Azores.
Manuel was preceded in death by his parents Joao and Sylvina Furtado, his sisters Palmira and Olivia Furtado, his father in law Tony Santos. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Judy, two children Carlos (Carol) Furtado of Escalon, and Tina (Scott) Lucas of Oakdale and a special goddaughter he raised as his own Heather (Dave) Tworoger. Grandchildren Anthony, Taylor, Dylan and Courtney Furtado of Escalon and Alexander, Zachary and Nicolas Tworoger. Mother in Law Margarida Santos of Oakdale. Three sisters Maria (Joe) Luis of Hanford, Silvina (Manuel) Faria of Taunton, Massachusetts and Angelica (Lino) Rosa of Faial, Azores. Sister and Brother in laws, Tony Santos, Joe (Melanie) Santos, Dayon (Kristi) Santos, Margaret (Ronnie) Martin, and Oly (Jim) Bauman. Three goddaughters Lisa Cunha, Helia Vargas and Vanessa Lasso. Numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Oakdale Memorial Chapel will be handling the services. Visitation will be Sunday, December 10, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oakdale with Rosary at 4 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Escalon at 11 a.m. Monday, December 11, 2017. Burial following the mass at St. John’s Cemetery in Escalon. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to, Oakdale FES, Our Lady of Fatima Escalon, FC Azores Soccer Club of Escalon, American Cancer Society or UCSF Cancer Foundation.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Dec. 6, 2017