José Horacio Brasil, age 71, of Ceres, California passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019. He was born May 22, 1947 in Santo Antão, Topo, São Jorge, Açores to Maria and Manuel Estevam and has lived in Stanislaus County for forty years.
José is survived by: his wife, Maria Conceição Bettencourt Brasil of Ceres; son Michael Brasil (Veronica) of Stevinson; daughter Dacia Brasil of Ceres; daughter Rosa Agueda (Paul) of Stevinson; brother Antonio Estevam (Rosa) of El Nido; sister Guiomar Bernardette Martins of Modesto; sister Albertina Estevam of Santo Antão; sister Maria Lacalete Nunes (Eduardo) of Oakdale; as well as his grandchildren Lisa Mancebo, Michael Bento, Anthony Agueda, Natalie Brasil, Emalie Brasil, and grandchild Mitchel Brasil. Mr. Brasil also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, and nephews to honor his memory.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Fatima Brasil, sister Maria Brasil Morais, grandchild Daniel, nephew Junior Brasil, and brothers-in-law Manuel Bettencourt and João Martins.
Jose married Maria Conceição Bettencourt in December of 1973 in São Jorge, Açores and quickly moved to the United States to better their future. Shortly after arriving to America, they began their family. They had a set of twin girls; Dacia and Rosa, and had their son Michael the following year. He worked in the dairy industry as a cow milker until 1989. After that time, he started a dairy for himself in Oakdale and remained there until purchasing his own dairy facility in Ceres in 1999. He worked hard and enjoyed his time as a dairyman until retiring in 2004.
After retiring, he found joy in his hobbies which included gardening and tending to his small collection of livestock. You could often find him tending to his “quintal” (garden), or relaxing on a 5 gallon bucket in his barn as he happily cut sweet potatoes for his small herd. He also found a lot of joy in being near the ocean, fishing, attending Bode de Leite’s and enjoying Danças de Carnival and Contria performances with his beloved wife Maria Conceição.
He was a very simple man. No extravagances were ever needed or wanted. What he desired most was a happy family, a healthy herd, and a thriving crop of fava beans and “couves” from his garden.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his family and friends, where a good home cooked meal, and a friendly game of “sueca” or dominoes was sure to take place. He enjoyed being silly with his adoring grandchildren, and was always a good sport in participating in their many shenanigans. He taught them how to play cards, and in turn, they taught him how to “whip and dab”.
Jose was a kind man who wished success and happiness to everyone. He had such a big heart and was a kind and gentle soul. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A recitation of the rosary followed by a funeral mass for Mr. José Horacio Brasil will occur at 12:00 PM on Monday, May 20, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church: 1200 Lyons Avenue, Turlock, California. He will be laid to rest at Turlock Memorial Park: 575 N. Soderquist Road, Turlock, California.
Serving as pallbearers are Michael Brasil, Paul Agueda, Michael Bento, Anthony Agueda, Antonio Martins, and Rafael Avila.
Services for José Horacio Brasil are in the care of Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service (FD504) in Turlock, California.
