He was born on the island of Madeira, Portugal, in the town of Santana. His father was Manual Da Mata and mother Maria Fareira De Andrade Da Mata. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Joao, and sisters Maria and Anna.
After his parents passed away and his siblings were scattered, his uncle suggested he immigrate to Brasil to find better opportunities. He found work on a Swedish ship as a merchant marine for six years. Brasil brought him the love of his life, Zulmira Mendonsa. They married January 14, 1956. He fulfilled his dream of coming to America in the fall of that year. Zulmira was eight months pregnant at the time. Manuel Da Mata, Jr. was born October 29, 1956, in Brooklyn, New York.
With the help of great friends, they worked in a bakery on 7th Avenue in Brooklyn. Saving up enough money, Manuel was able to purchase a bakery with a six family apartment building in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn. They opened Linden Bakery located at 538 Knickerbocker Avenue in 1962. The following October 20, 1963, their son Michael was born.
Manuel was a very hard worker and loved his family and made sure he provided for them always. He truly lived the American dream and was proud to be an American. His hard work as a baker led him to be able to purchase property in the coming years that would secure his family well. He loved getting together and sharing a meal with good friends. He and Zulmira retired to Palm Coast, Florida, in the late 1980s. They became one of the first members of the Portuguese American Cultural Center in Palm Coast.
His son Michael married Christine Creegan on September 25, 2010. He was happy and proud of his son’s new found happiness.
On May 1, 2016, his beloved wife of sixty years passed away. In the coming years, life was not easy, but he always had the determination to keep going.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast. Visitation will be from 12-1PM with Mass to follow at 1PM. Internment will be beside his beloved wife at Volusia Memorial Park cemetery, Ormond Beach, following the Mass.
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