Agnelo Matos

     Agnelo José Matos, age 71, passed away unexpectedly from his body giving up due to unknowingly having cancer on October 7, at St. Alphonsus in Boise surrounded by his four children.

     Agnelo was born in the village of Santo Antonio on the island of Sao Jorge, Açores on January 19, 1953, to Maria Iva Pereira de Matos and Jose Emilio de Matos. He was welcomed by an older sister and an older brother and a couple years later they all welcomed his youngest brother. His family moved to Angola, Africa when he was four years old.

     Agnelo was an energetic and rambunctious child who loved working outside with cows more than he enjoyed school. When his father passed away, Agnelo, at the age of 21, alongside his oldest brother, took over the family farm where he honed his dairy skills by caring for their large herd of cows. Still, he found time to cruise the villages in his fancy truck and he met his future wife, Helen, in Africa. In the 1970’s when civil war erupted in Angola, Agnelo served in the Portuguese army.  As a result of the war, he and his family left their life in Angola to start-over in the United States. He landed in central California. In 1976 Agnelo married Helen Avelar. Soon after, they welcomed their daughters, Lindsey and Bethany. While in California, Agnelo worked on a dairy farm and in vineyards while raising his daughters near Helen’s family. In search of new opportunities, the young family moved to Buhl, Idaho. In the early 1980’s they purchased a dairy farm with two other families. It was there they welcomed their only son Philip. In late 1985, Agnelo and his family relocated to Wendell, Idaho where they purchased their very own dairy farm. One year later, they welcomed their last daughter, Stacey.

     Agnelo was known to be industrious and tenacious, rarely leaving his cows. However, he did make time to leave his cows to become an American citizen, something he was very proud of. Agnelo was an avid hunter throughout his life and once he no longer went hunting, loved to live through the hunts of his children and grandchildren. After retiring from the dairy business, he became enthusiastic about his garden and raising chickens, particularly for his granddaughter, Preslie.

     Agnelo loved inappropriate jokes, spicy food and helping others. He loved donating to and helping with his children’s and grandchildren’s sports and activities, and family and friends who needed a place to live or work. When you ask the grandkids what they remember most about their Avô, they would tell you it's his loving and giving spirit. He was always giving them something or laughing with them about something. His grandkids truly were his pride and joy.

     He also loved his Portuguese heritage and celebrations. He was one of the families who helped bring over traditions to start the IDES in Buhl, ID and began the first Festa do Espirito Santo more than 40 years ago. Agnelo will truly be missed by all who knew him.

     Agnelo is preceded in death by his parents and his brother José Guilherme Matos.

     Agnelo is survived by his children: Lindsey (Brian), Bethany (Michael), Philip (Casey), and Stacey (Kevin); his grandchildren Evan, Ryder, Wyett, Ava, Jaxon, Sophie, and Preslie; his sister Margarida (Albano), his brother Armelin (Maria José), Sister-in-law Conceição, numerous nieces and nephews; and a large extended Portuguese family.

     A celebration of life will be Saturday, November 30, 2024 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Wendell, ID.  Rosary at 10:30 am with a funeral mass to follow at 11:00 am. As a family we plan to take Agnelo back to Sao Jorge as a final resting place for him.

     In lieu of flowers, please consider taking your family out to dinner in his honor because he loved to go out to dinner with his family.

     Funeral and cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service- Wendell Chapel.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Agnelo Matos, please visit our floral store.