Antonio Jose Martins

Antonio Jose Martins, age 78, passed away May 11 at his home in Oakdale after a lengthy illness. He was born in Algarve, Portugal to Manuel and Mercedes Martins. In 1960 he left Portugal and went to Angola with his family. While in Angola he met his wife of 47 years, Maria Martins. In 1975 they returned to Portugal and had their first child, Paul. They came to the United States in 1979 to make a better life for themselves. Antonio enjoyed gardening, writing poems, and loved to listen to the great singer of fado, Amalia Rodrigues.

He always managed to make the ones around him laugh or smile with his sense of humor. He is survived by his wife Maria C. Martins of Oakdale; his son Paul Martins and his wife Sarah of Oakdale; and daughter Natalia Martins and her husband Jim of Oakdale. He was a loving Avô (grandfather) and will greatly be missed by his grandchildren: Victor, Julia, Adeline, Amelia, Adam and Elena. He leaves behind three sisters in Portugal: Julieta (Augusto) Almeida, Vitalina (Jose) Nunes, and Otilia Leite. Antonio is preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Mercedes Martins; three brothers: Jose, Manuel and Jacinto Martins; and one sister Fernandina Custódia.

Services: A viewing will be held Thursday May 15 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Whitehurst, Norton, and Dias Funeral Chapel, 286 W. Main St., Turlock. Vigil and Rosary will be held Thursday May 15 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1225 Olive Ave., Oakdale. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church followed by the burial at Saint Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, 1141 Scenic Dr., Modesto, CA.

Services are under the direction of Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service of Turlock. (209) 634-4904 www.whitehurstnortondiasfunerals.com