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The following is a translation of a notice of the death of Cabrillo Civic Clubs founder, Mr. Manuel Reis, published in the Portuguese newspaper, Nearing the age of 102 years, Mr. Manuel Gomes da0 Silva Reis passed away. During the span of many years, he was the greatest Portuguese leader ever in California. Manuel Reis was born in Tomar, Portugal, on April 17, 1901, and after a stay in Africa, he came to Oakland in 1925, to join his brother, the distinguished physician, Dr. Abilio Reis, and to be a student. His first position was as Chancellor of the Portuguese Consulate in San Francisco; then, he worked for many years at the Carvalho Travel Agency in San Francisco. Mr. Reis joined the Benevolent Society, called APPB, on September 17, 1927, was named to the Fiscal Committee in August of 1929, and served as Treasurer of the Society from 1929 to 1933, when the Secretary, Mr. Figueiredo died unexpectedly on June 14, 1933. He was named as his interim substitute until the Annual Congress, in August, named him Secretary, a position which he held until August of 1948. In 1948, a change was made in the name of the Society, to the Benevolent Society of California, and with the restructuring of its Administration, he was elected to the position of Secretary/Treasurer, which he held until July 1, 1957. Then, this Society joined the Portuguese Continental Union of the State of California, taking the name of United National Life Insurance Society/Luso-American Fraternal Federation, for which he worked tirelessly until his retirement in 1988, at the age of 87. In the meantime, he was a member and founder of the Cabrillo Civic Clubs of California in February 1935, serving as its State President from 1939 to 1940, remaining a leader in this civic organization for more than 20 years. He also organized the Scholarship Program of the Cabrillo Clubs, having served as its first Scholarship Chairman. Due to his great interest in education, he established, in 1957, the Committee of Education of the Luso-American Education Foundation, which he served as its Vice-President, President, and Chairman of the Board, for many years. Because of his civic activities, in San Francisco, he was named a member of the "Nationalities Group," where he served from 1935 to 1950. This group organized great patriotic activities during World War II. Manuel Reis also took a very active part in the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and was proud to be a member of the prestigious Commonwealth Club of California. In 1955, he was honored with an award by the President of the Portuguese Republic and presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal. Later, he received another award, and lastly, in 1990, he was given one more award presented by President Mario Soares of Portugal, himself. In 1967, the State of California presented him with a Resolution of Commendation, approved by the State Assembly, for the relevant services given to the State of California. Mr. Reis married Henrietta Reis in 1933, who passed away in 1987 after 58 years of marriage. The writer of this article, Rodrigo Alvernaz, says that he had the pleasure of knowing Manuel Reis for the last 48 years, having worked for him and with him for over 30 years. He says that he was the person whom he most respected, and was for him, a true "role model" to whom he honors his memory with this tribute. May God rest his soul, as we extend our most sincere condolences to his niece, Maria Gomes, the only relative that survived him in the United States. (signed) Rodrigo Alvernaz
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