Manuel Saturnino Vieira Barreto's Obituary
In Loving Memory of Manuel Saturnino Vieira Barreto
November 29, 1938 – October 3, 2025
Our beloved father, Manuel Saturnino Vieira Barreto, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025 at his home in San Leandro, California.
Manuel was born on the stunningly beautiful island of Madeira, Portugal on November 29, 1938, the eldest of nine children born to Maria Vieira Pita and Antonio Vieira Barreto.
In his late teens, he ventured beyond his island home to Venezuela and then Brazil, seeking new opportunities and experiences. It was in the coastal city of Santos, Brazil that fate intervened—he met the love of his life, Gilca, during a chance encounter while watching a soccer game at a mutual neighbor’s home. Their connection was instant.
Together, they eventually made their way to California, settling in San Leandro. Their love story was marked by joy, devotion, and a shared passion for life. They danced through the decades—often the first on the floor and the last to leave at Portuguese Festas. They enjoyed vacations in Brazil, romantic walks, and meaningful conversations. Devout Christians, they were also proud supporters of various charitable and philanthropic causes throughout their lives. Their bond remained strong until Gilca’s passing in 2020.
Manuel was a man of quiet strength and deep values. An avid reader, a dedicated worker, and a lifelong learner, he began each day with determination—famously bringing his paper bag lunch to work with the handwritten words Hei de vencer (I will succeed) in Brazilian Portuguese. A true lover of futebol, he cherished the joy and artistry of o jogo bonito, the beautiful game. He also took pride in his Madeirense heritage, especially when enjoying traditional dishes like espetada.
He will be remembered for his thoughtfulness, unwavering optimism, boundless generosity, and quick sense of humor. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the values he instilled.
Manuel is survived by his loving children Andrea, Ana Paula, and Daniel; his dear sister Isabel; his cherished grandchildren Omar and Sadie; and his great-granddaughters June and Rose—all of whom reside in the East Bay Area of the greater San Francisco Bay. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Gilca, his parents, and seven of his siblings.
A memorial service to celebrate Manuel’s life will be held on a future date.
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