Jose Tiofelo Matos passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 26, 2025.
Jose (Joe) was born on September 27, 1940 in Urzelina, Sao Jorge, Azores. When he was six years old, he began milking cows for his father.
He served in the Portuguese army for three years and then he and Mary Lucille Machado married in Urzelina on July 31, 1965. They came to America in December of 1965. They lived on the DeMrtrtini Dairy in Petaluma where Joe milked cows.
Around 1970 Joe and Mary purchased their first home. He at that time was working at L. P. McNear brickyard and worked there for 20 years as well as making cheese.
In 1967 to 1970 they wrote to Sao Jorge to Joe's father for the St Jorge cheese recipe. His father was fourth generation making the St. Jorge cheese.
In 1976 they purchased their Llano Road farm and in 1979 the cheese factory opened. Joe was the fifth generation and first generation here in America. He was often called "the Godfather of the artesian cheese". Joe loved his cows almost as much as he loved his family. He and Mary were in business for 46 years working side by side. •
In January of 2024, Joe's health was failing and his daughter Sylvia started caring for her dad on a full-time basis. The family cheese factory sadly had to close in January of 2025.
In the earlier year's, Joe enjoyed meeting at Manuel Brazil's home at least two times a month with his brother Albano and friends or at his home to play their violas and dance the chamarrita and bailo de roda dances. He was part of the Folclorico playing his viola and doing the dances. He enjoyed playing his viola and doing the chamarrita at the Portuguese festas. He enjoyed going to the beach, (Portuguese Beach) with all of the family and he would play his viola. The viola went everywhere with him. Joe was a very hardworking loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Albano and Maria Sao Jose Matos, and his wife of 57 years Mary Lucille Matos.
He is survived by his daughters, Sylvia Tucker (Stephen), and Sandy Geernaert (Richard); grandchildren, Tiffany, Stephen (Megan), Heather, Abigayle, Joseph, and Dominic;
Great grandchildren, Lucille, Kaleb, Bennett and Sereia; Brother Albano and family in Santa Rosa, Manuel and family in Urzelina, Sao Jorge and sister Magarida in Portugal and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The rosary will be on Monday, November 3rd at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park, 1700 Pleasant Hill Rd.,Sebastopol. Viewing starts at 4:00 PM. The rosary will be at 6:00 PM. The funeral will be on Tuesday, November 4th at the Resurrection Catholic Parish at 303 Stony Point Rd., Santa Rosa. Mass will be at 11:30 AM. We will go back to the cemetery for a gravesite ceremony and then we will go to the Petaluma Holy Ghost hall for the celebration of life. You are welcome to bring a dessert to share if you would like.
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