FRANCISCO C. "FRANK" FREITAS

September 5, 1933 ~ September 26, 2010

Francisco "Frank" C. Freitas, beloved husband, father and grandfather, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, September 26, 2010 in Chowchilla, CA.

Born in Cinco Ribeiras, Terceira, Açores on September 5, 1933, he emigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 17. He owned a dairy farm with his brothers in Hanford, CA and eventually relocated with his sons and farmed in El Nido, CA. Frank has lived in Chowchilla, CA for the past eleven years.

He will be most remembered for his tremendous work ethic and strong sense of responsibility to those he loved. He was a shrewd businessman and equally driven when he played cards. Anyone who knew and loved him knows he had a passion for playing pinochle; a game he played almost daily.

Frank is survived by his wife of 50 years, Eleanor, his daughter Mary Freitas and her husband Steve Ginise; his sons Frank C. Freitas, Jr. and his wife Cecilia, Anthony C. Freitas and his wife Melanie and Steven C. Freitas and his wife Kathleen. In addition, he had 10 grandchildren: Jessica and Lisa Serpa, A.J., Jordan, Nicole, Mindy, Frank III, Dylan, Taylor and Halle Freitas all of Madera, CA.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Thurday, September 30, 2010 from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., at the Wilson Family Funeral Chapel of Merced, 525 West 20th Street, Merced, CA. A Recitation of The Holy Rosary will be held at St.Columba Catholic Church in Chowchilla at 7:00 P.M., Fernanda Medeiros officiating. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, October 1, 2010 at St Columba Catholic Church,Rev. Angel Soltelo will be officiating. A Graveside Service will follow at Arbor Vitae Cemetery, in Madera. Arrangements entrusted to Wilson Family Funeral Chapel of Merced.