Obituaries

Manuel B. Pimentel, a longtime resident of Union City, CA, passed away on March 31, 2023 at the age of 73. Manuel is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Maria S. Pimentel, his three children: Christina, Rui, and Carlos, his two granddaughters: Charlotte and Savannah, his brothers: Frank and Carlos Pimentel, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, and brother: Teotonio Pimentel.

Born on the island of Terceira in the Azores, he was one of four sons born to Francisco P. Pimentel and Emilia Borges. During the Portuguese Colonial War in the 1970s, Manuel proudly served in the Portuguese Military. Upon returning from war in 1975, Manuel married the love of his life, and in 1976, immigrated to the United States to join his other family members in Fremont, CA.

Manuel worked various jobs until he ultimately settled on a career in bus manufacturing. Manuel was a loyal employee with the Gillig Corporation for 24 years.

As a devoted Catholic, he attended Portuguese Mass every Sunday at Saint Edward Catholic Church in Newark, CA. He enjoyed attending Holy Ghost festivals and was an active attendee of the Newark and Union City Portuguese Halls. He was passionate about his Portuguese culture and heritage and kept up with local Portuguese news and events by listening to the Bay Area’s Portuguese radio station. He also watched RTP nightly to stay up to date with the news from Portugal and the Azores.

He had a passion for gardening and would always look forward to the time in which he could plant his fava beans; an annual tradition that he has kept for the last 25 years. He enjoyed growing fruit trees and showing off his grafting skills. His yard never seemed big enough for all the things he wanted to do. In the early evening, he would take his daily walk right before the sunset.

Manuel will be remembered as a humble man, but in reality, he truly achieved the American Dream. His hard work, determination and dedication to provide for his family and to pave the way for a greater life will never be overlooked.

He was a kind-hearted, loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be sorely missed.