Albano Dias da Ponte passed away surrounded by his family on June 30, 2018 at his residence in Turlock after a long illness. He was born to Maria Dias and João da Ponte on August 10, 1933, in Urzelina Ribeira do Nabo, São Jorge. He was one of eight children.
He lived in Urzelina Ribeira do Nabo where he attended school. He went into the service (Tropa) at the age of nineteen for two years of the island of Terceira, Acores. Afterward, he returned to his home town and became the head of the family at the age of twenty-three when his father passed away. At the age of twenty-six, he married Maria Adelaide da Silva from Urzelina and together they had eight children.
They left Urzelina in 1969 with six children to come to the United States, seeking a better life. They lived to Corte Madera to his brother-in-law’s for a short stay, until he found employment in Napa milking cows. After a few months, his employer sold the dairy and Albano moved his family to Livingston, where he found employment at Gallo in 1970. In 1971, a son was born and in 1977, his last child—a daughter—was born. They lived in Livingston until 1981 at which time he became disabled, retired, and moved the family to Turlock, where he lived until his passing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, João da Ponte and Maria Dias da Ponte, and his brothers, João da Ponte and Armando da Ponte. He was also preceded by his son Albano Manuel Da Ponte on April 13, 2016.
Albano is survived by: his wife of 58 years Maria Adelaide Ponte of Turlock; son John da Ponte of Modesto; son Luis da Ponte of Crows Landing; daughter Marie Silva (Frank) of Hilmar; daughter Isabel Amirfar (Nino) of Turlock; daughter Arlet de Couto (Marcel) of Turlock; daughter Maria Renner (Richie) of Arizona; and daughter Grace Ponte of Turlock. Mr. Ponte also leaves behind, one brother, four sisters, six grandsons, six granddaughters, and six great-grandchildren to honor his memory.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Turlock and he enjoyed gardening and playing cards with friends.
A visitation for Mr. Albano Dias da Ponte will occur from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, July 9, 2018 at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service: 286 W. Main Street, Turlock, California. During the visitation, a recitation of the rosary will be held at 7:00 PM.
There will be a funeral service at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church: 1200 Lyons Avenue, Turlock, California. He will be laid to rest following the service at Turlock Memorial Park: 575 N. Soderquist Road, Turlock, California.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/turlock-ca/whitehurst-norton-dias-funeral-service/7044 for the Ponte family.
