Manuel Franscisco de Morais

Manuel Franscisco de Morais died Feb. 14 after a long illness. He was 77.

Born on July 14, 1933, in Terra Do Pao, Pico, Azores, he lived in Tracy for the past 29 years.

De Morais worked as a firefighter for the American Air Force Base in Terceira, Azores before immigrating to the United States in 1967. He retired in 2002 from the Lab’s Plant Engineering Department.

He was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, I.P.F.E.S., and Sagrada Familia. He had a great love of animals and enjoyed caring for his birds, cats and dogs. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, wine making and gardening.

He is survived by his daughter, Ligia Cothren and her husband, Craig Cothren and their children, Zachary and Devin, all of Tracy; his siblings, Odette Morais of Antioch and Eliza Fontes of Terceira Azores.

De Morais was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Maria Nazare de Morais and his son, Rogerio de Morais.

Services will be held Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. in the Fry Memorial Chapel in Tracy. The funeral will then proceed to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Tracy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in de Morais’ name to Animal Rescue of Tracy, 2181 North Tracy Blvd., PM122, Tracy, CA. 95376.