Fernando L. Avelar “Fred” passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 25, 2024 at his home in Ferndale, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Fred fought hard and was always positive despite his challenges with his illness.

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend was born to Fernando E. Avelar and Maria de Lourdes Avelar on January 1,1956 in Sao Mateus, Terceira, Açores Islands. Fred and his family immigrated to the United States in 1960. They originally lived in Fresno and Tulare, and then they moved to Arcata in 1963. Fred was a hard worker who started working at a young age. He started delivering newspapers and doing yard work around the neighborhood, while attending Stewart School. Fred was so proud that he saved enough money by the age of 15 to buy himself a brand new 1971 Volkswagen bug, which was one of his most precious possessions. He sold it once he started his family but often talked about buying another one. Fred attended Arcata High School while working for Humboldt Machine Works in Arcata, and then graduated high school in 1974.

Fred married his high school sweetheart, Olimpia, in June of 1975. They welcomed their first son Mario, in October of 1976, and then Victor in March of 1979. Fred loved his family and enjoyed being with his sons; from coaching them in minor league baseball, watching them show their animals at the fair, raising their pigs and having their goat dairy. His family was his everything.

After he graduated from high school he obtained a job at Simpson Timber Korbel, where he worked for 12 years. When the lumber industry started to change, Fred recognized he needed to find different work. He obtained his Class B license with a passenger endorsement in order to become a school bus driver. He worked for Jacoby Creek School, Arcata School District, and worked part-time as a locksmith at Humboldt State as he worked full time for Northern Humboldt High School District. In 1994, he became the Head of Maintenance at Mckinleyville High School until he retired in 2011. Fred was honored and very proud to receive the 2010 Classified School Employee of the Year award from the State of California Department of Education.

Fred loved his work and touched many lives throughout the years working at the school and coaching many children. He loved people and always referred to the students as his “buddies.” Fred always rooted for the underdog, always encouraged and supported students and the people around him to be their best and reach for their dreams. He always acknowledged their accomplishments. After retiring, Fred moved to Ferndale to help his sons, where he worked with them in the dairy and cattle ranching industry for many years. He instilled his hard work ethics on them and created lots of memories. He was so proud of all their accomplishments.

His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching Alexis barrel race along with watching her, Layne and Jason show their animals at the fair. He also enjoyed watching the boys play sports, and Layne bull ride. He loved watching Xavia’s dance and karate performances. Fred adored having tea parties with the girls and even letting them polish his nails. He enjoyed the simple things of having coffee with his boys and talking about their day. Fred loved listening to music. He enjoyed playing the accordion and was an avid skeet shooter. He also looked forward to going to the Portuguese Hall for their annual celebrations, where he had many laughs and made memories with family and friends throughout the years. He appreciated Portuguese culture, the food, and loved the music and dancing. He had a great sense of humor and a warm smile. He loved being around people and helping where he could. Fred will be missed by many.

Fred is survived by his wife, Olimpia of almost 50 years, son Mario (Andrea) Avelar, son Victor, and four grandchildren: Alexis, Layne, Jason and Xavia. He is also survived by his sister Mary Furtado, and brothers Carlos (Ruth) Avelar and Dave (Anne) Avelar, sister-in-laws Maria Rodrigues, Maria C. Freitas, Regina Freitas, Ines Silveria and brother-in-law Antonio (Zenalia) Freitas and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his aunt Maria Avelar from Livermore, who he adored very much, and his aunt Conceicao Fialho, from Santa Cruz das Flores, Acores.

He was preceded in death by his parents Fernando and Maria Avelar, his four infant brothers, his brother-in-laws Frank Rodrigues, Angelo Furtado, Manuel Freitas, Jose Silveria, Jose Freitas, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Fred’s family wants to thank Dr. Shayeb and his staff at Providence St. Joseph Oncology Department, the wonderful chemo nurses and staff, Dr. MacDonald and the radiation staff for all their support and loving care throughout the years. They want to thank Margaret Lee, PA at the Ferndale Open Door Clinic and Tom Renner and staff at Rings Pharmacy in Ferndale for always being there. The family also wants to thank Home Based Palliative Care and Hospice of Humbodlt for all their care. Finally, they want to thank all the family and friends that supported and encouraged him throughout the years and through his illness. He appreciated all the telephone calls and visits along the way.

The family wants to invite his family and friends to a mass in Fred’s memory at St. Mary’s Church in Arcata on Saturday, November 9 at 11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of life at the Portuguese Hall in Arcata.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Fred Avelar’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.