João was born in Santa Bárbara, Terceira, Açores to João Coelho de Melo and Vielmina da Conceicão Mendes. He was a simple man, who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, and was a firm believer in re-using everything. João was never one to throw anything away that could be reused, even going as far as rewashing Ziplock baggies if he could get away with it.
João had a documented hatred for drinking water which he held on to until the end, and a deep loving connection with his cat, who he affectionately named João. There was nothing he enjoyed more than caring for and spending time with João the cat and going on family outings.
He is survived by his cousins Manuel Veredas(Maria Durvalina), João Veredas, Felysha Veredas(Robert), Violet Flores, and Sebastian Flores and was preceded in death by his parents João Coelho de Melo and Vielmina da Conceicão Mendes de Melo.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 W. Main St, Turlock, Ca 95380 with the Recitation of the Rosary to begin at 7:00pm.
The funeral mass will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025 beginning at 10:00am located at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1200 Lyons Ave, Turlock, Ca 95380 with the committal service to follow directly after at Turlock Memorial Park, 575 N. Soderquist Rd, Turlock, Ca 95380.
Serving as pallbearers are Jonathan Bugarin, Robert Flores, Jorge Veredas, Ruben Garcia, Steven Oseguera, and Marques Veredas.
