Manuel Constantino

Manuel Constantino, 95 of Chino, passed away on August 15,2011 at Chino Valley Medical Center. He was born in Sao Jorge Azores and resided in Ontario for 20 years and previously lived in Chino for 12 years. He was self employed and worked as a farmer all his life, and retired in 1984. Manuel graduated from San Antonio High School; Azores. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Manuel is survived by his wife Escolastica Constantino, Son; Frank Constantino, Daughters; Fatima Constantino, Dalia Santos, Silvina Freitas, Cecelia Azevedo, Celeste Constantino. Eight grandchildren, three Great-grandchildren.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del angel Pierce Brothers Griffith, Chino, CA.

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Eulogy by Carla Azevedo

My grandfather or as I like to call him my vovo, was a man with qualities that I have always admired since I was a little girl. He was a man of prayer with a great passionate devotion to the rosary. He would pray the rosary every day without fail, all four sets of the mysteries plus the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3pm, the hour of our Lord’s death. He would make a point to pray the rosary together as a family in the evenings. He had a prayer book called The Fifteen Prayers of Saint Bridget that he prayed from with dedication. He was a man of great faith who never questioned or had doubts towards God. His favorite phrase that he always used was God’s Will be Done. He taught his children and grandchildren the importance of loving God with all your heart and to be honest in everything you do and say. He was also a man of his word. When he said yes, it was yes and when he said no, it was no.

My vovo had a great joy for life, lived it to its fullest and even though back in the Azores he had a hard, rough life he would never complain for it was just simply not in his nature. He loved his country and his island that he left behind when coming out here to the States to provide a better life for his wife and children and ended up also loving the country that he came to live the rest of his life. His favorite meal that gave him great pleasure was a good glass of wine, a plate of lapas, pao milho (Portuguese cornbread) and cheese from Sao Jorge, his beloved island. He loved playing Dominoes and cards and was an exceptional host to guests, always offering food, drinks and a good conversation. His personality was very contagious and always had a smile on his face.

My vovo is survived by his wife, 5 daughters two in Portugal three here in the states, one son here in the states, 7 grandkids and 3 great grandkids. My vovo will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He has touched each of our hearts in a special, unique way and even though he is physically gone, we know deep down that he is with us all the time and because of our faith in God, it is a comfort to know that we will see him again in the eternal life.