Antonio Diniz Coelho

Antonio was born and raised in Altares, Terceira, Acores.  The second eldest of four children born to Antonio Coelho Diniz and Palmira Merces Ferreira, Antonio drove trucks on the air force base for four years and played in the Altares band.  Antonio married Maria Irene Lourenco on April 24, 1955, in their hometown of Altares.  In July 1956, they welcomed their first child Maria Adelaide.  In April 1957, Antonio immigrated to Canada to work on building the railroad across Canada for two years at which time, his wife and child joined him in Winnipeg, Manitoba where they set up their home in November 1958.  They welcomed four more children in Canada: Larry in March 1961, Irene in February 1962, Alice in March 1963 and Lucy in May 1965.   Antonio worked as a licensed barber, and in construction to provide for his family.

In July 1966, Antonio and Maria Irene decided to immigrate to the United States making their home in Artesia, California.  They welcomed their sixth child Anthony in January 1972 to complete their family.  Antonio worked a variety of jobs in California from valve assembler, truck driver to his final job as a foreman for Albertsons’ Brea Distribution Center, retiring in January 1992.

Antonio has always had a strong sense of community involvement and civic responsibility.   He was a chief mover and founder of the Artesia D.E.S. Marching Band.  He acquired music, arranged music, rented musical instruments, found uniforms and recruited a conductor.  He played the tuba in the band for 22 years from 1972 to 1994.  He was a member of Artesia D.E.S. since 1966 and also served on the Board of Directors. 

Antonio also served as treasurer on various fundraising committees for projects in Brazil, Portugal and his own village of Altares.  He served as a district director for the S.E.S. Fraternal Society and became Honorary Supreme Officer.  He served on the first board of directors as treasurer from 1993 to 2003 for Radio Television Artesia (RTA).

In 1999, Antonio founded a Portuguese senior group called Hora Social Portuguesa.  He led the group through 2018, a total of 19 years.  Under his leadership, the group took 137 trips around Southern California and met the first Friday of every month for a social lunch program.

Antonio was admired for his pride in the Artesia Portuguese community and distinguished himself with his contribution of time and talent to make a difference in the community.  He was proud of his family and relished our family gatherings.  He also loved to have deep conversations about his life and his observations.  He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church since 1966 and served for a number of years as an usher.

Antonio was preceded in death his parents, his siblings and their spouses and his nephews Tony Costa, Tony Duarte and Joe Lourenco.   He is survived by his wife of 66 years Maria Irene, his children Maria Coelho (Anthony Galvan), Larry Coelho (Sonia), Irene Rasmussen (Rett), Alice Coelho-Rios (John), Lucy Coelho-La Freniere (Robert) and Anthony Coelho, 10 grandchildren (Tania Miller, Daniel Miller, Andrew Coelho, Laura Ann Coelho, Teddy Rasmussen, Chris Rasmussen, Anjelica Rios, Jonathon Rios, Alexandra La Freniere, and Gabriel La Freniere), nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, godchildren, and cousins.