Flaminio Faria Matos, 83, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away surrounded by his family on June 1, 2018, at Memorial Medical Center after a long and courageous battle. Flaminio was born on the island of Faial, Azores Portugal to Jose Francisco De Matos and Maria Gabriela Faria. In 1959, at the age of 25, Flaminio came to America to fulfill his dreams for a better life. He lived in Bethel Island, California, working on a dairy feeding cows. A short time after in 1960, he met Beatriz Cardoso at a Saint Patrick’s Day Dance at the Turlock Ballroom. It was love at first sight and so their love story began. They saw each other a handful of times before he proposed to her on his birthday, September 19, 1960. Flaminio and Beatriz married on his favorite date (due to his love & devotion to our Lady of Fatima) May 13, 1961, at Saint Jude church in Ceres. They moved to Riverbank a few years later, started their dairy, and began their family; eventually moving to Modesto in 1971 where they raised their 4 daughters. He loved spending time with his girls and teaching them all he knew. Flaminio was a dairyman for 35 years. He loved all aspects of farming and the outdoors. His Catholic faith was very important to him. He was a dedicated parishioner of St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Riverbank and St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Modesto. His faith in the Holy Spirit involved him in many Portuguese celebrations. He served as president of Oakdale F.E.S. in 1975, a member of: Nossa Senhora do Carmo of Fajã dos Vimes in São Jorge, PFSA #38 of Modesto, and Our Lady of Miracles Society of Gustine, as well as a member of the Western Dairyman Association. He loved traveling to the Azores, attending Holy Ghost celebrations, and spending time with family. Flaminio will forever be remembered as a loving husband, Pai, Avo, brother, Tio, and friend. He was truly an amazing man and to have known him was a blessing. He had an infectious smile paired with a charismatic demeanor that radiated from him. He was our “superman” and will live in our hearts forever.
Flaminio was preceded in death by: his parents José Francisco de Matos and Maria Gabriela Faria, his sister Maria Silveira, and brother Gabriel Faria.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Beatriz M. Matos of Modesto; daughter Beatrice Lucia Matos-Pereira (Manuel) of Turlock; daughter Catalina Matos-Ryan (William) of Modesto; daughter Melanie Madelene Matos-Brasil (Ruben) of Turlock; daughter Natalie Anne Matos-Ceja (Robert) of Turlock; and sister Lucia Faria Matos Melo of Portugal. To honor his memory, Flaminio also leaves behind six grandchildren: Tiffany Pimentel (Julian), Matoson Joseph Pereira (Amandajo), Ashley Johnson (Michael), Madelene Agueda, Aireanna Agueda, Annalisce Agueda; and three great-grandchildren: Sebastian Pimentel, Sadie Pimentel, and Orlando Pimentel; brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, cousins, nephews, nieces and godchildren.
A visitation for Flaminio F. Matos will be held from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 W. Main Street, Turlock, California 95380. A recitation of the rosary will occur during the visitation at 7:00 PM.
A funeral service will occur at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 8, 2018 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church: 2827 Topeka Street, Riverbank, California. He will be laid to rest following the service at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery: 1141 Scenic Drive, Modesto, California.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com/whitehurst-norton-dias-funeral-service/en-us/index.page for the Matos family.
