December 2, 1940 – October 10, 2026
Manuel Alexandre Avila, 85, of Hollister, California, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2026, at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, California.
He was born December 2, 1940 in Flamengos, Faial, Azores Islands. The eldest son of Alexandre & Maria Jose Avila. He attended elementary school and at a very young age began to work doing manual labor jobs on the island to make income to help his family until he went into military service. He served his home country Portugal, during the Portuguese Colonial War in Guinea-Bissau Africa as an infantryman from 1962-1964. During this time, he was introduced to a young woman via written correspondence from his homeland. In those days, some young women in the Portuguese culture were known as “wartime godmothers” and would correspond with soldiers to provide emotional support, comforting words & keep the soldiers connected to home through written letters. They met in person upon his return home, fell in love & married on October 2, 1965. They welcomed 2 daughters into the world and then made the decision to follow other family members, immigrating to the United States in January 1973 to pursue the American Dream in the land of opportunity. After arrival in America, they welcomed another daughter. He worked in the labor industry throughout the years, retiring after working many years at San Juan Elementary School in San Juan Bautista.
Our Pai & Avô(father and grandfather) loved the outdoors, nature and animals. He was an avid gardener, always having an abundance of vegetables, grapes and many fruit trees in his beautiful backyard. He shared the harvest with family, friends and neighbors each season. He loved birds and built an aviary where he cared for canaries, parakeets, and finches bringing him much joy for years. He enjoyed going to the casinos with our mom & friends, futbol “soccer”, dancing the chamarrita (Portuguese folk dance), listening to Fados(traditional Portuguese music genre) and most of all family time when we could all be together.
He frequently said that what he was most proud of in his life were the daughters he raised with our mom and of the beautiful grandchildren they and his son in laws had raised.
We will always remember his strength,, his dedicated work ethic and the deep, abiding love he had for his family, country and culture.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years Maria Alice, his daughters Alice Colton, Mary Avila-DaRosa(Ken), Elizabeth Diaz(Damien), his grandchildren Ashley Colbert(Daniel), Andrew Colton(Katelyn), Camille Avila-DaRosa, Jamieson Avila-DaRosa, Audyn Diaz, Donovan Diaz, his great grandchildren Dawson, Emerie, & Ava Colbert, Rilynn & Hadley Colton, and his brother Francisco Avila.
He is preceded in death by his precious grandson Emerson Avila-DaRosa and his beloved son in law Kevin Colton.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Heart Association or charity of your choice.
A private burial will be held for immediate family only. All are warmly invited to join the family for a Celebration of Life at the Portuguese Hall at 1:00 p.m.
Visitation:
Tuesday, October 20, 2026. 10:00 am – 10:45 am
Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Family Funeral Home & Crematory. 870 San Benito Street, Hollister, California
Funeral Mass:
Tuesday, October 20, 2026. 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sacred Heart Church. 5th & College Streets, Hollister.