Patterson Cemetery District, Stanislaus County, CA 

Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 26 Aug 2007

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Brazil Joaquin A 340223 p1
Rancher Drowned in Tank; Joaquin Brazil Falls in While Repairing Roof Sunday; An unusual accident claimed the life
of Joaquin A. Brazil, Patterson Colony rancher, Sunday afternoon, when he was drowned in the water tank at his place on
Eucalyptus Avenue near Sycamore. While no one was near at the time and his body was not found until the following
morning the surrounding circumstances were so clearly indicated that there could be little doubt of the manner in which
he met his death. He had taken his wife, to a neighbor s Sunday afternoon and returned about 3:45, at which time he told
his small daughter, who was ill in bed, that he was going out to patch some holes in the tank house roof that had been
made by woodpeckers. A few minutes later the little girl heard some hammering but that was all.  Later in the afternoon,
Mrs. Brazil returned home but did not look for him, thinking he had gone to a neighbor s. The deceased was due to go to
work at the Borba and Pacheco Ranch at Crows Landing the next morn1ng and had planned to go down late that evening
and spend the n1ght there. So w$en he did not reappear as the night drew on, his wife presumed he had gone to Crows
Landing, although thinking it unusual. Monday morning, she went to the Crows Landing ranch, however, and when it was
found Brazil had not appeared there, they hurried back to the Brazil ranch.  Following the clue supplied by the daughter,
the tank was inspected and his body was found in about eight feet of water. The structure had a flat roof with a trapdoor
at one corner, and  this was open, with a hammer and nails lying on the roof.  It was evident that Brazil had been either
climbing in or out of the trap door when he lost his footing and slipped into the water. He could not swim and was always
afraid of the water, refusing to go fishing on that account.  A survey of the tank showed that the water was only between
two and three feet from the top and it would have been possible to leap up and grab the edge.  But he had evidently
become panic stricken and sank to his death. Deputy Sheriff Ossie Ball was summoned when the body was found and
Coroner George Sovern came over later in the day to make a complete investigation. Funeral services were held
Wednesday morning from Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Joseph Porto in charge, followed by interment at St. Mary's
Cemetery.  Arrangements were in charge of Davis & Evans. Brazil was 44 years of age and a native of the Azores Islands.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, and two children, Virginia and Joseph.  They have resided here about three years.  He
was a remember of Patterson  Lodge No. 130, U. P. E. C.