Jose Bettencourt Reis

IN LOVING MEMORY

JOSE BETTENCOURT REIS

It with very heavy hearts that we share with all of you - our dearest friends and family - the sad news of the passing of our much- beloved father, Jose Bettencourt Reis, who died here in Modesto on August 2, 2022, less than two months before his 72nd birthday.

 Our father was always the cornerstone of our family and inspired us with his example all through our lives. He was born September 24, 1950 in Sao Jorge, Acores. One of nine children, he grew up learning his family's strong work ethic from his own father. Indeed, he was well known in his community for being one of the greatest of fishermen, and enjoyed fishing very much. 

When duty called, our father served as a soldier in the Portuguese army from the age of 21, and fought in Angola, South Africa for two and a half years.  After returning home to Sao Jorge from the war, he married Balbina Maria Flores in April 1975.  They gave birth to their first son, Paulo, and moved to California shortly afterward.  Our family lived and worked at the Joe Lewis dairy for 16 years and our parents had two more children, Joe and Tony. 

As the three of us grew, we soon learned our father's strong work ethic.  We started helping out on the dairy, and, to this day, we enjoy sharing stories from our times together at the dairy. These were the best of times, and our father and our mother made that possible.

As the years wore on, our father always enjoyed working on his garden, making wine from the grapes he grew, and spending time with his four grandchildren.

Sadly, our mother, Balbina passed away in 2007.  Approximately one year later, our father met and married Eulalia Gomes.  They shared 14 years of marriage.

Our father was first diagnosed with Cancer in 2001.  He courageously battled this disease for 21 years until his passing. Our father left us with a beautiful legacy to follow: Love God, family, and your fellow neighbor.

We miss you, pai. or dad

Jose leaves behind a beautiful family; he is survived by his wife Eulalia; his sons, Paul Reis, Joe Reis and Tony Reis (Kristen) all of Escalon; his grandchildren, Jeremiah Reis, Valerie Reis, Vincent Reis and Hudson Reis; He is also survived by his siblings, Arthur Bettencourt Reis of South Carolina, Trindade Vitorino of Sao Jorge, Antonio Bettencourt Reis of Modesto, Maria Rosalia Reis of Escalon and Noemia Leonardes of Rhode Island. Jose is preceded in death by his late wife, Maria; his sister’s, Maria Vitorino, Rosa Bettencourt and his brother, who passed at the age of 3, Jose Reis.

Deegan Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Reis family. A viewing for Jose will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2022 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Deegan Funeral Chapel, 1441 San Joaquin St., Escalon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 18, 2022 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Committal will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Please join the family for a reception luncheon immediately following the service at the Azores Band Hall, 1436 1st Street, Escalon, to share a meal and many wonderful memories of Jose. To send the family your condolences, please visit Jose’s tribute page at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com.