Manuel Rebeiro Rocha passed away Sunday, January 28, at the age of 81. Manuel was born in the island of Terceira, Azores Portugal. He immigrated to the US in 1969 with his wife and 7 children and settled in Gilroy. He was employed for many years in the dairy industry. He enjoyed tending to his garden and sharing the fruits of his efforts with all those around him. He took great pride in his large family and enjoyed seeing them gathered in celebration.
Manuel was very active in the local Portuguese community. As a devout catholic, He was a member of the IFDES lodge, The Brotherhood of St. Anthony, and the Our lady of Fatima organization. He was an avid bullfight afficionado who loved to dance and volunteer in his community.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Filomena Rocha, of Gilroy. Children; Fernando (Lucia) Rocha of Morgan Hill, Val (Maria) Rocha of Gilroy, Maria (Henry) Rosa of San Jose, Joe (Vickie) Rocha of Aromas, Luis Rocha (Fiorela) of Gilroy and Albert (Mary) Rocha of Gilroy, 17 grandchildren; Lynette (Frank) Smith, Kendra (Steve) Fortino, Adrian Rocha, Brian Rosa, Michael, Joey, Ashley Rocha, Kristen Rosa, Louis, Elie, Kamille, Evelyn, Jennifer, Kimberly, Travis, Alyssa, Zachary Rocha and also Phyllis Teixeira, and Vanessa Amorim, and 2 great-grandchildren, Brandon Smith and Krista Rosa. Siblings; Mateus (Ilda) Rocha of Gilroy, Maria Pinheiro of Gilroy, Rosa (Francisco) Fagundes of Hilmar, Lorentino Rocha of Brazil, Inez (Jose) Toste of Gilroy and Neves Lopes of Gilroy, many nieces, nephews, and a large circle of extended family and friends. Preceded in death by daughters, Filomena Rocha and Nilda Furtado and brother, Jose Rocha.
All those whose lives he has touched are invited to attend services in his honor. Visitation will be held Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4 P.M., Friday from 12 noon with a Rosary at 7 P.M., all at Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy. Funeral Mass will be said 12 noon Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Gilroy. Burial to follow at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park.
