Capt. Cristiano Cristianino Garcia DaRosa

Cristiano worked with his grandfather in the fields of Pico tending cattle which was extremely hard work for a child. At the age of 14, Cristiano followed in his fathers footsteps working at the local whaling company in Cais do Pico.

At the age of 21, Cristiano left the island of Pico to go the the nearby island of Terceira to serve his required duty in the Portuguese military. While in Terceira he purchased a book on engineering which sparked his interest in an engineering degree. He began study sessions with a Senior Engineer named Antonio who became not only his teacher but also his mentor enabling Cristiano to obtain his first engineering license. This would greatly assist Cristiano later in life in his career in the tuna industry. With continued studies Cristiano was able to obtain another much higher engineering degree that helped him obtain employment back at the whaling factory of Cais do Pico as an engineer of the whaling boat “Cachalote". Cristiano then found a job on the other side of the island of Pico on a cargo ship called the “Salazar”. Here he worked for two years mastering his engineering skills.

During this period Cristiano met and married Evelina Costa Silva which whom he would be married for the next 61 years. On April 15, 1955 Cristiano immigrated to the United States arriving in San Diego with $40 in his pocket in hopes of starting a better life for his bride and future family. Cristiano landed his first job in America unloading tuna boats at the local port. With the Captain being impressed with his work ethic, he offered Cristiano the opportunity to join the crew of the tuna vessel “Favorita” as a pole fisherman. Cristiano worked hard and became the “corner rack” as it was known, a space reserved for the best of the pole fishermen. Cristiano was a humble man that never felt he was the best at anything but just did the best he knew how to.

Cristiano eventually obtained his American citizenship. With his dream in mind of owning his own tuna boat, he quit fishing and attended school full time studying in hopes of obtaining his navigators license. His first job as Navigator was on a tuna boat named the “Belle of Portugal”. A year later Cristiano would return to school and obtain his Merchant Marine license through the United States Coast Guard. His first job as Captain was aboard the tuna boat “Clipperton”.

After this, Cristiano began working for a company called Westgate. During this time an opportunity arose to purchase a 300 ton tuna boat named the “Bernadette”. Cristiano and members of his extended family took the chance to become boat owners. Cristiano became the Captain and Managing Owner of the vessel. For the following four years, they were extremely successful and Cristiano’s reputation grew as an excellent fisherman and Captain. Due to his success, Cristiano was approached and offered a 49% ownership of a new 1450 ton tuna seiner called the “Gemini”.

During all this time, Cristiano and Evelina had 3 children. Their son Larry Silva DaRosa was born on August 4,1958, son Christian Garcia DaRosa was born on April 25,1963, and daughter Evelyn Silva DaRosa (Feliciano) was born on April 15,1967.

In 1973, Van Camp Seafood Company asked Cristiano to be joint partners in the building of a tuna boat. During the nine month construction period of the vessel, Cristiano went to work for Mr Ed Gann aboard a 1,000 ton tuna seiner name the “San Juan”. After making three quick trips, Mr. Gann being so impressed made Cristiano his highest paid Captain. This gave Cristiano pride, not of making riches, but knowing that he was respected in his trade.

On May 24,1974 at Campbell’s Shipyard in San Diego, the 1200 ton tuna seiner, “Evelyn DaRosa”, which was named after his daughter was launched. Cristiano making rapid trips and being successful with the Evelyn DaRosa was able to pay off his portion of the vessel. In 1982, Cristiano was able to buy out his partner Van Camp Seafood and became sole owner.

Many Portuguese immigrants sought out Cristiano for employment and help when they arrived in San Diego. One way or another Cristiano did not leave anyone abandoned. He helped them all, often taking money out of his wallet for them to get started.

Cristiano would retire from fishing in 1985 turning over the helm to his son Larry, who had followed in his footsteps. He would remain the Managing Owner from San Diego. Unfortunately the Evelyn DaRosa sank in the Pacific Ocean in June of 1992.

Wishing to continue the family’s fishing legacy, in 1993 both Cristiano and his son Larry flew to Portugal and purchased two 1200 ton vessels, which would be know as the “Capt. Cristiano DaRosa” and the “Evelina DaRosa”. Captained by his son Larry DaRosa and his son in law Michael Feliciano, these vessels were very successful. The Capt. Cristiano DaRosa would be sold in 2002 and the Evelina DaRosa would be sold in 2007, at which time Cristiano at the age of 81 would retire from the tuna industry.

In San Diego, Cristiano’s involvement and reputation grew within the Portuguese community. Cristiano became an active member of various Portuguese clubs and organizations such as the Alianca Acoreana, the Portuguese Historical Center, the Luso-American Federation, Portuguese American Social and Civic Club, and the Festa do Santo Amaro Inc.. Cristiano served as California State Outside Guard of the União Portuguese do Estado de California ( United Portuguese of the State of California). His heart and his most involvement was with the United Portuguese S.E.S. in which he served a few years as a director. In 1985, Cristiano served as President of San Diego’s Oldest Ethnic Festival, the U.P.S.E.S. Portuguese Festa do Divino Espirito Santo.

In 1998, Cristiano with his immense love of his heritage and traditions was a major founder of the U.P.S.E.S. Portuguese Philarmonic, the Filarmonica União Portuguesa de San Diego of which he would eventually become President Emeritus.

In 2000, in his homeland of Pico, Acores, in recognition of these and all efforts on behalf of the Portuguese communities of both San Diego and Portugal, Cristiano was conferred upon with the title and medal of Comandador Benemerito (Commander in Merit) by the Government of Portugal. This is the highest honor the Portuguese Government will bestow upon a civilian.

In 2011, the Portuguese Historical Center honored Cristiano with the Tunaman’s Ball Humanitarian of the Year Award in recognition of his tremendous efforts in support of the Portuguese community of San Diego and also in his support of immigrants in need.

Cristiano’s life was truly one of an immigrant that came from modest means to a country in search of a better life for his family. He worked extremely hard and became successful without ever losing sight of where he came from and always gave back.

Cristiano passed away on November 29, 2015 with his wife Evelina by his side and surrounded by his entire family. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, heritage, and tradition that spans the ocean from Portugal to California.

Cristiano is preceded in death by his parents, Cristiano DaRosa and Rosa Mesquita, his son in law Michael Feliciano, his granddaughter Janée Evelina Feliciano, his brother Alfredo Mesquita, His brother Manuel Cristiano DaRosa and wife Auria, his sister Maria da Saude do Nascimento and husband Manuel Jorge and brother in law Manuel Fagundes.

Cristiano is survived by his wife Evelina, son Larry DaRosa (Danielle), son Christian DaRosa, daughter Evelyn D. Feliciano, grandchildren Jason, Nathan, and Dylan DaRosa, Joshua and Karinna Feliciano, and great granddaughters Janée and Michaela Feliciano and Nathalia DaRosa.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, December 10th, 6pm-8pm at Dignity Beardsley Mitchell Mortuary in Ocean Beach. Rosary and funeral mass will be held on Friday, December 11th at Noon at Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Point Loma, Internment at Holy Cross Cemetery following mass, followed by reception at the United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall in Point Loma.

In lieu of flowers donations are requested in Cristiano’s memory to Azorean Aliance, UPSES Portuguese Filarmonic, or the American Cancer Society.