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João Luis Borba (85), of Hilmar, CA, passed away peacefully at his home on October 7, 2024, surrounded by his family, after a hard-fought battle with Leukemia. João was born to Luis Machado Borba and Maria Trindade dos Ramos Sousa on February 20, 1939 in Fajã dos Vimes, São Jorge, Açores. He was one of seven children. João grew up in Fajã dos Vimes, a remote village on the Southern shore of the island, where his family worked on and lived off the land. It was there that João learned to farm ground and work with cows. It is where he became instilled with a love and passion for farming which would influence the rest of his life. In the early 1960s, while serving in the Portuguese Military, João was sent to fight in the Portuguese Colonial War in Angola, Central Africa. The war had a profound impact on João. He lost many friends and formed lifelong bonds with many others. His wartime experiences ultimately helped shape his outlook on life, particularly his faith and devotion to God. In 1966, after João’s return from war, he and his family immigrated to the United States, with very little money and very limited English. However, what the Borbas lacked in wealth, they more than made up for with high hopes and big dreams. After settling near Hilmar, California, João and his brothers began working at local dairies, with the goal of saving enough money to start their own dairy operation. In 1968, João married Maria Idalina Morais, who had immigrated from the same village. That same year, the Borba brothers used their savings to buy 60 cows and start their first dairy, which was the beginning of the Borba Brothers partnership. Over the next 20 years, through hard work, sacrifice and perseverance, the Borba brothers acquired multiple properties and continued to grow their operation, while also growing their families. By 1989, the brothers decided the time had come to split up the operation, so that the next generation of Borbas could be brought into the family businesses. The selfless men that they were, the brothers agreed to divide everything into 3 groups and to draw slips from a hat to determine who would get what. João drew the ranch on Kelley Road, where he would spend the next 37 years building and expanding Borba Dairy Farms. His reputation, as an honest, hard-working, and fair businessman, gave rise to a legacy that will continue to be passed down to future generations. In his later years, it was João’s joy to return to his birthplace to reconnect with his roots and revive his childhood home. He loved welcoming his children, grandchildren, family and friends into his family home in Fajã dos Vimes, sharing with them his many fond childhood memories, while also creating new memories that will live on. João’s frequent visits to the old country rejuvenated him, keeping him vibrant and young at heart. Despite all his success, João was a modest, humble man that would want to be remembered above all, for his love and devotion to God. He lived his life, first and foremost, following God’s word. João was a generous man and strong believer in helping the less fortunate and supporting those in need. He will be greatly missed and will be eternally loved by his family, friends and community. João is preceded in death by his parents, Luis and Maria Trindade Borba, his brother, Jose, Jose’s wife Maria Clementina, his brother Luis, and his siblings Maria Fatima (who died at the age of 18), Emanuel (who died in infancy) and Maria do Carmo (who died in infancy). João is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Maria Idalina; his seven children, Bobby (Doilinda), Michael (Natalie), Evelyn, Johnny, Mariana Rodarakis (George), Connie Cabrera (Michael) and Emanuel (Jessica); his ten grandchildren: Lillianna, Victoria, Maxamino, Isabella, Miya, Peter, Cruz, Maggie, Emma and Beau; his brother Antonio (Mary) Borba; and much-loved nieces and nephews and their families. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spirit of Father Mata in memory of João L. Borba A Visitation for João will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 2602 South Walnut Road, Turlock, CA 95380. A Recitation of the Rosary will occur Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 7:00 PM, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 2602 South Walnut Road, Turlock, CA 95380. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 2602 South Walnut Road, Turlock, CA 95380. A Committal Service will occur Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Turlock Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 575 N. Soderquist Road, Turlock, CA 95380. Serving as pallbearers are Antonio Borba, Daniel Borba, David Borba, Luis Borba Jr., Maxamino Borba & Johnny Morris.

Tributes

João Luis Borba

February 20, 1939 - October 7, 2024