Born August 18, 1935 at home in the village of Loma de Sao Pedro San Miguel, Azores.
Passed Away unexpectedly March 21, 2024 in Turlock, California
David came to the United States at the age of 18, alone with a note pinned to him saying “I don’t speak English” A stewardess in Boston who spoke Spanish was able to communicate with him because of the similarities in the languages. She took him to lunch, and helped get him a cab and on his way to relatives in New Bedford, Mass.
David and Patsy met when she worked at the high school and became an interpreter for his non-English speaking sisters. One day at the Portuguese Celebration David got brave enough to ask the Celebration Queen (Patsy) to dance. After dating for some time, they were married on May 14, 1960.
Many people may not know that David was a master furniture maker. With the help of his Father, they made many pieces of furniture for the newly married couple. David worked for the Pacific Lumber Company in Scotia, California. David and Patsy managed the Fireside Inn in Eureka, the Brigadoon Lodge in Vacaville, CA. and the Sierra Madre Apartments in Rancho Cordova, CA before moving to Newman to partner with his father in the egg and walnut businesses. Later the walnuts and egg businesses gave way to almonds.
David was a member of the Knights of Colombus Father Rose Council in Gustine and was a Third Degree Knight, Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles and was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Teams of Our Lady. He enjoyed Socializing, camping, RVing and traveling. David will be remembered for being a “David of all trades”. He was kind hearted, a bit of a prankster and always good for a joke. But most of all he never met a stranger and was always willing to help anyone, while doing it all with a smile on his face
David was preceded in death by his parents, David & Mary Freitas; In-Laws, Jack & Mary Miranda; brother in-law, Joe Miranda; and several aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Patsy Freitas of Newman; son, Robert Freitas of Gardnerville, Nevada; sisters, Margaret Borges of Davis, Gabriela Willy of Oregon, and Mary Alice Dabney (Richard) of Gustine; brother, Joe Freitas of Newman; sister In-laws, Judy Barbata of Fort Collins, Colorado and Jackie Eicholtz (David) of Fortuna, CA; several aunts, uncles and cousins. David and Patsy were proud Godparents to approx. 60 Godchildren.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm followed by a Rosary at 6:00 pm, Friday, April 5th at St Joachims Church in Newman. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 am, Saturday April 6th at St Joachim’s Church in Newman. Interment to follow at Hills Ferry Cemetery in Newman.
Family prefers remembrances to their favorite charities in David’s name.
