Jose D. Avila

It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of Jose Durvalino Avila, who left us on April 17, 2025, at the age of 75. Jose was born September 30, 1949, in Graciosa, Azores.  He married the love of his life Fatime Avila on April 22, 1973.  They would have celebrated 53 years of marriage.  

Jose and Fatima immigrated to Hanford, California in September 1973 where they began their life together and had three beautiful daughters.  In 1979 they became Naturalized Citizens of the United States. He worked as a dairyman milking cows for Rosa Bros. Dairy, Cleixe Dairy, Dias Dairy, Toledo Dairy and as a herdsman for Santos Dairy, where he retired in 2012.  Jose loved camping, fishing, working in his garden, making linguica and wine each year.  He always included the grandkids in the making of his wine, from picking the grapes in the fields, to the wine press at home and having the grandkids squish them with their bare feet.  But above all else he loved picking them up from school, taking walks to the park and never missing any of their games.  He taught them so much that they are forever grateful to their Avo.  Jose loved his beloved dog, "Leo", he looked forward to his morning walks.  

Jose enjoyed traveling with his wife to visit family in the Azores, Canada, Massachusetts and Missouri.  He also liked going to Portuguese Festas to eat Sopas, dance and watch bullfights with family and friends.  

He is preceded in death by his parents Jose and Maria L. Ataide Avila and his brother Manuel Machado.

Jose leaves behind his wife, Fatima, three daughters, Christina Santos (Albert), Nancy Santos (Carlos) and JoAnn Cunha (Duane), his seven grandchildren, Matthew and Megan Santos, Hayley and Dylan Santos, Madison, Jacob and Malorie Cunha. As well as his two sisters, Maria Bettencourt (Jose) and Maria Lourdes Da Silva (Camilo), sister-in-law Julie Machado and many loved nieces, nephews and friends.  

Services to celebrate Jose's life will begin with a Rosary, Sunday, May 4th at 5:00pm with viewing at 3:00pm at Whitehurst McNamara Funeral Chapel.  A mass will follow on Monday, May 5th at 10:00AM at St. Brigid's Catholic Church, interment following at Calvary Cemetery.  

We are thankful for all the memories, they will be cherished in our hearts forever.  

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