Jose Caetano Diniz, 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 18, surrounded by family in Oakdale.
He was born in Terceira Acores, Portugal where he was raised, educated, and served in the military. After fulfilling his military duties, he obtained a job at the United States Air Force Base in Lajes, Terceira where he worked for 20 years climbing the ranks and eventually becoming General Manager of Operations in the Commissary Division. Shortly after beginning his career, Mr. Diniz married Lina Linhares Candida, and had five children Carlos, Val, Fatima da Conceicao, Paul, and Joe. He immigrated to California in 1968 and settled in Tracy where he worked at Laura Scudder's potato chip plant until his retirement in 1989.
Mr. Diniz lived a selfless life in which he helped many people immigrate to the United States, secured employment for them, and insured their well being until they became stable. He was a proud man and fully supported his heritage by organizing and promoting clubs and organizations for the Portuguese community. He was a founding member of the soccer club Vilanovense in Terceira and Nova Artista Acoreana de Tracy and served on the boards and as a member of many Portuguese affiliations including IPFES, UPEC, LUSO American and Society of Our Lady of Fatima.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Lina; his sons and daughters-in-law, Carlos and Noemia Diniz, Val and Maria Diniz, Paul and Kathleen Diniz and Joe and Annabell Diniz; 11 grandchildren, Melanie Birdsall, Matthew Diniz, Brian Diniz, Christopher Diniz, Andru Diniz, Krysten Diniz, Brittany Diniz, Jason Diniz, Amanda Diniz, Craig Diniz, and Thomas Diniz as well as his siblings, Arnold Diniz, Teresa Louro, Leontina Medeiros and Olivette Cardoso.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Fatima da Conceicao, his brother Norberto Diniz and his sister Isaura Fereira.
Rosary was Sunday, March 22 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with a funeral service on Monday, March 23 at St. Bernard's Church in Tracy.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
March 25, 2009
He was born in Terceira Acores, Portugal where he was raised, educated, and served in the military. After fulfilling his military duties, he obtained a job at the United States Air Force Base in Lajes, Terceira where he worked for 20 years climbing the ranks and eventually becoming General Manager of Operations in the Commissary Division. Shortly after beginning his career, Mr. Diniz married Lina Linhares Candida, and had five children Carlos, Val, Fatima da Conceicao, Paul, and Joe. He immigrated to California in 1968 and settled in Tracy where he worked at Laura Scudder's potato chip plant until his retirement in 1989.
Mr. Diniz lived a selfless life in which he helped many people immigrate to the United States, secured employment for them, and insured their well being until they became stable. He was a proud man and fully supported his heritage by organizing and promoting clubs and organizations for the Portuguese community. He was a founding member of the soccer club Vilanovense in Terceira and Nova Artista Acoreana de Tracy and served on the boards and as a member of many Portuguese affiliations including IPFES, UPEC, LUSO American and Society of Our Lady of Fatima.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Lina; his sons and daughters-in-law, Carlos and Noemia Diniz, Val and Maria Diniz, Paul and Kathleen Diniz and Joe and Annabell Diniz; 11 grandchildren, Melanie Birdsall, Matthew Diniz, Brian Diniz, Christopher Diniz, Andru Diniz, Krysten Diniz, Brittany Diniz, Jason Diniz, Amanda Diniz, Craig Diniz, and Thomas Diniz as well as his siblings, Arnold Diniz, Teresa Louro, Leontina Medeiros and Olivette Cardoso.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Fatima da Conceicao, his brother Norberto Diniz and his sister Isaura Fereira.
Rosary was Sunday, March 22 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with a funeral service on Monday, March 23 at St. Bernard's Church in Tracy.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
March 25, 2009
