The wedding of Fernando Maurice Fraga and Elise Marian Pimentel on May 7, 1916 in Mendocino. The two families gathered for a photograph.
March 4, 1975 – Fernando Fraga passed away at his home on Calpella Street at the age of 83. He had been a Mendocino resident for 65 years and worked for the Union Lumber Company for 50 years prior to retiring in 1960.
Born on Flores Island in the Azores, Fernando was the son of Antone and Emelia (Vieira) Fraga. Antone and Emelia had 16 children, and 7 of them immigrated to California.
Fernando arrived in the United States in 1906, settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he resided with his sister, Maria Garcia, for three years. He moved to Mendocino in 1910 and became a United States citizen in 1917.
In 1916, Fernando married Elise Marian Pimentel, the daughter of Antone Pimentel, Sr. and Marian (Rose) Pimentel of Mendocino. Fernando and Elise made Mendocino their home for the remainder of their lives, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1966 with many family members and friends present.
Fernando served as a fireman with the Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department for over 50 years. In December of 1974 he was awarded a special plaque from the members of the fire department as a token of their appreciation for his many hours of service. He assisted in the annual Fire Department Day, taking the children of the community on a tour of the Department and giving them a ride on the Engine. “He was a true gentleman of the old school, one who will be greatly missed by his many friends.”
In addition to his wife Elise, he was survived by two sons, Maurice Fraga of Fort Bragg and David Fraga of Sacramento; five daughters, Dorothy O’Bailey of San Rafael, Constance Gomes of Mendocino, Vivian Johnson of Fairfield, Florence Dahl of Mendocino, and Ann Porteous of San Bruno; and two brothers, John Fraga of Fort Bragg and Roland Fraga of Santa Rosa.
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