Manuel Fernandes Ribeiro

Manuel Fernandes Ribeiro, passed away on June 20, 2023 at his longtime family home on Green Valley Road in Watsonville, California after a decline in heath at the age of 91.

He was born on August 30, 1931, to Manuel R. and Mary C. (Nunes) Fernandes in Lincoln, California. Manuel was raised in Lincoln, where he graduated from Lincoln High School, home of the “Fighting Zebras” and he also worked at the Lincoln bakery, a local “Shell” gas station and the pottery until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. After completing basic training, he was stationed in Augsburg, near Munich, Germany as a member a 4-man machine gunner team. While stationed there he developed his love of adventure, travel, and touring. He returned home and was discharged in 1954 and relocated to Santa Cruz where he began his apprenticeship as a house painter and met Elsie M. Mello while painting her parents’ home in Watsonville. The love was immediate and true and they married in October 1960. They brought 2 wonderful children into the world, Linda and David.

Manuel re-married in August 1979 to Elaine E. (Wallace) Ribeiro after Elsie’s passing in January 1978. Manuel enjoyed traveling, especially in their RV with family and friends, but when the RV would not take him where he needed to go, he and Elaine resorted to other modes of transport. They shared several adventures from cruises all over the world, flights to Australia, hot-air balloon rides and countless other adventures. He loved to cook, and many have enjoyed one of his holiday meals or corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day. He was a dedicated to his faith and truly loved the sound of family and friends in his home with his door always open to all. He enjoyed fishing and “puttering” around the house, but above all he was always most proud of his annual vegetable garden and hydrangeas. Several of his family and friends enjoyed one of the countless loaves of zucchini bread and he would bake or a jar of homemade jam he would happily and freely share with all.

Manuel is survived by his wife Elaine at the longtime family home, his daughter & son-in-law, Linda (Ribeiro) and John Hawkins of Salinas, CA, son David of Oak Harbor, WA, and by one sister Rose (Fernandes) Lyons of Oak Harbor, WA, grandson Sean and 2 great grandchildren along with several other family relations also survive.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made in Manuel’s bane to Holy Eucharist Catholic Church, 527 Corralitos Rd., Corralitos, CA 95076. The family would also like to extend a warm “Thank you” to the Veteran’s Administration and Heartland Hospice for all they did to make Manuel’s end of like transition easier for all.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 7, 2023 at Holy Eucharist Catholic Church at 11 AM.