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Manuel Pereira Dutra passed away peacefully on July 30, 2025, at Doctor's Hospital in Modesto, California. He was 93 years old. Born on May 9, 1932, in Lajes do Pico, Azores, Manuel spent the first 39 years of his life in Pico. He served for two decades in the Guarda Nacional Republicana, formerly known as the Guarda Fiscal, a specialized Portuguese military force responsible for border and maritime control. He also pursued two years of studies at the University of Lisbon. On August 30, 1959, Manuel married Maria Conceição Dutra in Faial, Azores. In September 1971, they immigrated to Turlock, California, where he would reside for the rest of his life. In Turlock, Manuel worked for Souza’s Propane as a delivery driver before joining Happy Homes as a field representative selling agricultural commodities. When Happy Homes was acquired by A.L. Gilbert’s, he continued his work there for 24 years until retiring at the age of 74. A devout Catholic, Manuel was deeply involved in his faith community. He sang in and led the choir for 30 years and was a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church until 2008. From 2009 onward, he attended Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church. He served as president of Our Lady of Fatima in both 1977 and 1992. He was also a founding member of Casa de Acores in December 1977 and served as its president in 1986. For three decades, he acted as secretary of UPEC Council (now PFAS) 75 of Turlock. Manuel loved reading daily and playing the bandolim. Above all else, he cherished his family and adored his grandchildren. He is survived by his beloved wife, Maria C. Dutra; children Carlos Dutra, Connie Domingos, and Adelle (Matt) Mouro; ten grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose de Macedo and Lucinda da Conceição Dutra; siblings Jose P. Dutra, Maria de Jesus Tolentino, and Maria Conceição Moniz. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a rosary at 6:00 p.m., at Turlock Funeral Home. A funeral mass will follow on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church. Manuel will be laid to rest at Turlock Memorial Park.

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Manuel Pereira Dutra

May 9, 1932 - July 30, 2025