Fernando Soares Lourenco passed away on November 6, 2024, with his son Jorge by his side. Fernando was the fourth of twelve children born to Amelia and Jose Homem on August 19, 1930, in Terceira, Azores. He always had fond memories of his childhood and recalled having everything despite having very little. As a young man he worked very hard in the family field growing the crops that would feed his large brood. This hard work ethic was cultivated at a very young age and continued throughout his life.

He was drafted as a teenager and served in the Portuguese military. When his service was completed, he was appointed by the American military and began his employment as a driver for American officers. This position was very gratifying, and he took this placement very seriously. He would speak highly of this time and the prestige it carried.

In 1956 he emigrated from the Azores to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil to work at his brother Jose’s butcher shop. Fernando loved being a butcher and he loved Brasil and the opportunities that were obtainable with hard work. During this time, he met the love of his life, Jorlanda, and within no time Fernando was able to purchase his own butcher’s shop. On December 17, 1961, they were married and lived in a small one-bedroom apartment behind the butcher shop. In 1963 they welcomed Jorge. Jorge was the apple of Fernando and Jorlanda’s eye. In 1968, sponsored by his sister Gabriela and brother-in-law Robert Murphy, the family immigrated to the United States, settling in Arcata.

In 1969 Fernando worked at Louisiana-Pacific pulling green chain. Fernando was ambitious and had big dreams to run his own business again. In 1974 they purchased Arcata Creamline Dairy in the Arcata bottoms (now known as Cypress Grove). This was a family-run-business with all hands on deck. Fernando was in charge of milking cows and bottling milk and Jorlanda worked tirelessly bottling milk, cleaning stalls and working the store. Jorge was tasked with making sure the cows were in the stalls to feed and doing whatever else he was directed to do. Fernando made many friends while delivering milk to the local markets (Co-op, Murphy’s, Westwood, Larry’s and Whole Earth Market (on the Plaza).

In 1984 they purchased the Christiansen dairy in McKinleyville, where they continued to produce milk, which they sold to the Humboldt Creamery.

Fernando loved getting together with his family. Beginning in the 1970s he was the catalyst for lively picnics at Pump stations #1 & #4, Korbel, Weott, Moonstone Beach and Benbow Lake. Fernando had a great sense of humor offering adages with wisdom.

Later in life, Fernando and Jorlanda were blessed to care for their nephew Jeffery Homem while his parents worked. Jeffery was like a second son to them, and they delighted in picking him up from school, making him his favorite meals and enjoying weekend sleepovers. In 1997 & 1998 they were blessed with two beautiful grandchildren. Fernando delighted in watching them grow up and was so proud of them as they graduated from college and started their own careers. You could always count on Fernando to express so much pride regarding their accomplishments and achievements.

Fernando will always be remembered as a loving, loyal and devoted husband. He and Jorlanda were dedicated to each other for 63 years. The day he was admitted to the hospital his final act of love was making Jorlanda soup for lunch.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Amelia Homem; his sisters, Maria Jose De Matos, Maria dos Santos Rafael, Natalia Oliveria, Fatima Borges; his brothers, Manuel Homem, David Homem and Antonio Lourenco; his brother-in-law Robert Murphy and his special nephew Jeffery Homem. He is survived by his wife, Jorlanda; his son Jorge; his grandchildren John “Jake” Lourenco and Cameron Lourenco; his siblings Gabriela Murphy, Jose Homem (Gloria), Durvalina Machado, Avelino Homem (Ana) and brother-in-law John DeMatos; and many nieces, nephews, grand- nieces & grand-nephews and great-nieces & great-nephews.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Redwood Coast PACE for ensuring that Jorlanda and Fernando remained in their home. A special thanks to Merna, who Jorlanda calls a “second mother.”

A recitation of the Rosary will be held at 10:30 a.m. on November 16, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arcata, with a Mass of Christian burial following. Pallbearers will be; Jorge, Jake and Cameron Lourenco, Amarildo Homem, Larry Murphy, Rich Homem, Frank Oliveira, Anthony Lourenco and George Cavinta. Funeral arrangements by Paul’s Chapel.