Jose Ferreira Lima, 83 of King City passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2015. Jose was born on the island of Flores in the Azores, Portugal on May 20, 1932. The oldest of three sons born to Jose` Inacio and Palmira Chavez de Lima.

Life was not easy for Jose`. At the age of eleven his father was killed in a whaling accident. Jose` had to quit school to help bring money in to his widowed mother, she, who had delivered an infant son (Celestino) the same month. The three boys Jose, Antonio and Celestino now only had their mother and maternal grandfather, Antonio Jacinto, to raise them.

Jose grew up a strong worker. At the age of twenty-seven he married Maria Conceicao. Two years later they had a son Mario Jorge; two more years and they had Jose` Edwino; five years later the girls came; Elizabeth, Rose and Vera.

Jose worked for the government in road construction and farmed on the side for himself. He was an active member of the Holy Spirit Fraternity, a very old Catholic organization that put on religious festivals called Festas where parades took place, traditional folkloric music and huge amounts of people were fed. Jose` still enjoyed attending the Festas here in the States.

Times were hard economically in the Azores, many people left for the U.S. or Canada. Jose`decided to follow his brother Celestino to King City. His other brother Antonio took his mother and family to Canada.

Jose came to work for Maggios carrots as an agriculture mechanics assistant. When he retired he became a gardener part time. His children grew up and remained in King City raising their own families. Jose was the friendliest man with the sweetest, happy smile. Everyone recognized him in his little pick-up or at the local stores in his trademark L A Hearne cap. He was a devout Catholic, a fixture at 9:00am Sunday Masses. He always sat on the last right-hand pew, greeted everyone as they passed and helped take up the collection. He loved company, but don't make too much noise! His best buddies were Celestino and conpadre Jose Diaz.

Jose is survived by: Children, Mario J. Lima (Arcadia), Joe E. Lima (Mercedes), Elizabeth Bailey (Greg), Rose Valdez, Marcelino Valdez, and Vera Lima; brothers, Antonio (Natalia) Lima from the Azores and Celestino (Maria Fatima) Lima from King City and numerous grandchildren and several great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He loved and was very proud of all his children. When the grandchildren visited he usually slipped them some money. We will miss him deeply.

Those wishing to may make donations to St. John the Baptist Catholic church, George L. Mee Memorial Hospital, San Antonio Mission, SPCA or the charity of your choice.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

A RECITATION OF THE ROSARY is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Sunday, August 23, 2015 at St. John's Catholic Church, 504 N. Third St., King City.

A FUNERAL MASS will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 24, 2015 at St. John's Catholic Church.

Interment will follow in King City District Cemetery.