Manuel P. Baptista Jr.

Manuel P. Baptista, Jr. Jul. 19, 1917 - Oct. 22, 2010 Resident of Fremont Entered into rest on October 22, 2010 in Newark at the age of 93. Loving husband of 74 years to Mary Baptista. Devoted father to Manuel Baptista, III, and Jerry Baptista. Survived by 5 grandchildren, 6 great-grand-children, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Beloved bro-ther of Georgiana Kabrich, and Theresa Silva. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Manuel Sr. and Lena Baptista, his infant son, and his sisters Marie Baptista and Josephine Bettencourt. Born on July 19, 1917 in Oakland, Manuel is a native of the Newark-Centerville area. He is a longtime member of the Holy Spirit Parish. As a young boy and into his teens he served as an alter boy for Father Souza. He quit school during the depression and began driving tractors and trucks for local farms. Later he went on to drive trucks for Warren Trucking, retiring after more than 35 years with an excellent safety record. Manuel was a member of S.E.S. and St. Anthony Society. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus of Holy Spirit for over 70 years. He and his wife Mary were even grand marshals of the parish parade. He and Mary shared many hobbies such as gardening, stone-brick work, raising parakeets and doves, woodworking, and making nativity crŠches for the Christmas holidays. For many years, he helped prepare the sopas for the Newark Pavilion Festa. He also delivered sopas to people who were confined to their home. They enjoyed traveling in their R.V. especially to the pacific coast and to the Rose Parade in Pasadena with the Good Sam Club and the B.S. Travelers Club. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 31, 1-5pm with a vigil service at 3:30pm at Fremont Memorial Chapel, 3723 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, 94536. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 1, 9:30am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 37588 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, 94536. Burial will follow at Holy Spirit Cemetery in Fremont. Fremont Memorial Chapel (510) 793-8900