Liberal Azevedo, age 92, of Hilmar, California, passed away at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. He was born in Ribeira Seca, São Jorge, Açores, to Maria and José Azevedo. In 1980, following the destruction of their home in São Jorge due to an earthquake, Liberal and his mother immigrated to California to start a new chapter of their lives.
A deeply religious man, faith was central to Liberal’s life. He never missed mass, and even in his later years, when mobility became more difficult, he faithfully listened to the mass on the radio every day.
Liberal had various roles in the dairy industry, retiring at a relatively young age due to complications stemming from a childhood bout with polio. After his retirement, he could often be found cruising through Hilmar on his three-wheeled bike, stopping by his siblings’, nephews’, and nieces’ homes to lend a hand in their gardens—a hobby he truly loved.
Liberal is survived by his siblings: Leonor Silveira, and Cremilde Fontes, both of Hilmar, Januário Azevedo (Olivia) of Livingston, Maria Silveira of Turlock; his godson, John Azevedo (Fernanda); his goddaughter, Mary Serafina Fontes; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, José P. Azevedo; his mother, Maria E. Azevedo; and his siblings: Jose Azevedo, António Azevedo, Augustino Azevedo, Felismina Pereira, Humberta Fontes, Felicidade Mancebo, and Zélia Azevedo.
Liberal was a dedicated parishioner of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar and was also a member of Nossa Senhora de Fátima in Turlock and Our Lady of Miracles in Gustine.
A visitation for Liberal will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 West Main Street, Turlock, CA 95380. A recitation of the rosary and funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 20263 American Avenue, Hilmar, CA 95324. A committal service will immediately follow at North Hilmar Cemetery, 8710 Tegner Road, Hilmar, CA 95324.
Serving as pallbearers are Joe Silveira, Danny Silveira, Paul Xavier, John “Digger” Silveira, Joe Fontes, Avelino Azevedo, John Azevedo, and Joey Azevedo.
Liberal Azevedo, de 92 anos, de Hilmar, Califórnia, faleceu no Emanuel Medical Center em Turlock, na quarta-feira, 26 de fevereiro de 2025. Ele viveu em Hilmar, Califórnia, nos últimos 35 anos.
O Sr. Azevedo nasceu em Ribeira Seca, São Jorge, Açores, filho de Maria e José Azevedo.
Liberal deixa de luto seus irmãos: Leonor Silveira e Cremilde Fontes, ambas de Hilmar, Januário Azevedo (Olivia) de Livingston, Maria Silveira de Turlock; o seu afilhado, John Azevedo (Fernanda); a sua afilhada, Mary Serafina Fontes; assim como muitos sobrinhos, sobrinhas, sobrinhos-netos e sobrinhas-netas.
Foi precedido na morte pelo seu pai, José P. Azevedo; sua mãe, Maria E. Azevedo; e seus irmãos: Jose Azevedo, António Azevedo, Augustino Azevedo, Felismina Pereira, Humberta Fontes, Felicidade Mancebo e Zélia Azevedo.
O Sr. Azevedo era paroquiano da Igreja Católica de Holy Rosary em Hilmar e também membro da Nossa Senhora de Fátima em Turlock e de Nossa Senhora de Milagres em Gustine.
O velório realiza-sa na quinta-feira, 6 de março de 2025, das 6h as 8h da noite, no Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service, 286 West Main Street, Turlock, CA 95380.
Recitação do terço e missa terão lugar na sexta-feira, 7 de março de 2025, às 10h da manhã, na Igreja Católica de Holy Rosary, 20263 American Avenue, Hilmar, CA 95324, seguindo-se o sepultamento no Cemitério North Hilmar, 8710 Tegner Road, Hilmar, CA 95324. Todos os serviços estão ao cargo da Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service de Turlock.
Paz à alma do sr. Liberal Azevedo.
