Lino Augusto Medeiros

Lino was born on February 5, 1937, in Urzelina, São Jorge, Azores. In 1978, he immigrated to the United States and settled in Salem, Massachusetts, with his wife and family. Soon after, he moved the family to Nashua, New Hampshire, where he worked in factories making caskets—of all things—but he enjoyed it. After three years, tired of the snow, he decided to move the family to California to be near his sister, Victoria.

In California, Lino worked on several dairies, milking cows, and later spending most of his life farming. In the final seven years of his career, he joined the State of California and worked as the building maintenance at a public high school. He loved animals, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. He shared his favorite Portuguese recipes with his daughters and had a fondness for sweet bread, Portuguese cheese, and a little bit of 7-Up with his wine. His favorite place to relax was Bodega Bay, where he loved to camp in his RV and enjoy the ocean breeze that reminded him of the Azores.

Lino was an avid gardener who could grow just about every vegetable imaginable. He was a proud Avô and taught his grandkids how to care for fruit trees. He even grew grapes and made his own wine.

A proud member of many Portuguese organizations, Lino’s love for music and festas was endless. He played in a band for five years and loved to dance—teaching all his daughters how to dance. Full of life, intelligent, and deeply faithful, he never missed saying the rosary at 6:30 p.m. each day. His laughter, humor, and light filled every room he entered. He loved making jokes to make his grandkids laugh—he truly was a character. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Lino is preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Rosa Medeiros; his brothers, Maximino and Armindo Medeiros; his sisters, Ilda Silva, Maria Pimentel, Deolinda Bettencourt and Victoria Laranjo; his godson, Celestiano Bettencourt; and his loving wife, Maria Luiza Medeiros.

He is survived by his sister, Benilde da Ponte; his son, Lino Freitas; his daughters, Amarantina (Jose) Medeiros and Lina (Manuel) Medeiros Vieira; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren in the United States and the Azores.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Courtyard Rehabilitation Center, Valley Medical, and O’Connor hospital for their kindness, love, and exceptional care for our dad. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for loving him as we did.

Services will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Five Wounds Portuguese National Church, with the Rosary at 10:30 AM, followed by Mass at 11:00 AM. Committal services will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery at 12:30 PM.