06/25/2026
BRISTOL -
António P. Medina, 93, of Francine Street, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Warren Skilled Nursing Home in Warren, Rhode Island. He was the beloved husband of the late Maria Fatima (Hipólito) Medina.
Born in Santa Cruz, Flores, Azores, he was the son of the late António José and Evarista da Conceição (Piloto) Medina. Although his siblings were born in America, António was born in Flores when his parents returned to the Islands during the Depression era. He received his elementary education there and spent his formative years cultivating the family farm with a devoted work ethic.
In Flores, António met and courted the love of his life, Fatima. They married and welcomed their only son, Victor. Seeking greater opportunities for their family, António and Fatima made the courageous, selfless decision to emigrate to the United States. They arrived on May 31, 1966, welcomed by António’s older sister, Ana.
Determined to provide for his family, António immediately went to work, initially performing landscaping before securing employment with American Tourister, Inc. in Warren, Rhode Island. He later transitioned to the Carol Cable Company, also in Warren, where he loyally worked—often volunteering for double shifts—until the plant's closure and his subsequent retirement.
António and Fatima successfully built their American dream, moving into their own home on Francine Street in the late 1970s. Together, they created a household filled with love and hospitality. While Fatima nourished the family with traditional Portuguese cuisine, António brought the beauty of Flores to Rhode Island, meticulously cultivating a magnificent garden filled with hydrangeas as a tribute to his native island. An adventurous spirit, António loved driving his family on road trips across the United States and Canada, with Victor serving as his trusted navigator.
Blessed with a brilliant mind for numbers, António loved playing cards, a passion he shared throughout his life with family and dear lifelong friends, including his childhood friend, José Hiberto.
Above all, António was a devoted family man. He treasured his role as a father and grandfather. In his later years, he traveled frequently to North Carolina, first to visit his beloved "grand-dogs," Caleb and Hanna, and later to dote on his three grandchildren, who were the absolute pride and joy of his life. He spent countless hours teaching them card games, sharing laughter, and celebrating their academic achievements.
The most defining moment of António’s life was his decision to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior. Alongside his wife, he attended the Portuguese Assembly of God, where his faith grew deeply under the ministry of Rev. Joaquim Goncalves. His family takes great comfort in the assurance of his eternal life and the promise of reunification.
António is survived by his devoted son, Victor A. Medina, M.D., and his wife, Melinda, of North Carolina; his three cherished grandchildren, Katerina L. Medina, Nicholas A. Medina, and Alexander J. Medina; his sister-in-law, Maria Estela Braga of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada; and several dear nieces and nephews, including Maria, Fatima, and Peggy, who hold fond memories of their special uncle.
In addition to his parents and his beloved wife, Fatima, he was predeceased by his siblings: Palmira Baeta Freitas, Maria de Lourdes da Costa, and Ana Nolan.
After losing his cherished wife of 67 years, António was blessed with extraordinary friends who became an extension of our family. Joe and Eugenia Faria, alongside Louisa Souto, cared for António as an adopted father, bringing him great joy and patiently listening to his stories of childhood in Flores. His neighbors, Joe and Fatima Pereira, also showed immense kindness, frequently visiting and checking on him.
We are deeply grateful to his devoted church community for their regular visits of fellowship, song, and prayer, as well as the staff at The Warren Center, who sustained him with exceptional care and fondly returned his cheerful greetings. Thank you all for the respect, dignity, and love you bestowed upon António.
Visitation will occur on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the George C. Lima Funeral Home, 367 High Street. Burial will follow at the North Burial Ground.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to support missions’ outreach at: Portuguese Assembly of God, 1237 Newman Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771.
For more information, please visit www.limafh.com
