Goan Voice, Canada : Obituary

1st Death Anniversary speech by KOHS - SK Pat Rodrigues
A year ago, we heard the lamentable tune of the last post by the bugler, at St Francis Xavier's Church in Mississauga. The sound of that tune resonates very vividly in our mind today. For it was on that day we bid our last farewell to a loving husband, a loving father and a grand father, a fellow confrere of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Brother Knight, a Sir Knight and most of all a noble gentleman who was a friend to all.

They say that old soldiers never die they just fade away, such was the saga of Colonel Sir Victor Cardozo, a Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Past Grand Knight of North York Council, Past Faithful Navigator of Bishop Greco Fourth degree Assembly, Fraternal Adviser of the Knights of Columbus.

My association and friendship with Col. Victor Cardozo goes back over two decades. I had heard of him through some of the brother knights, and was eager and curious in meeting this Mau Mau Colonel of the army from Kenya.It was not long after, at a Knights of Columbus function I was the toastmaster that evening roasting one of my good friend, when Victor walked up to me and introduced himself. I was astonished at first sizing him up, as I had expected to see a strapping & robust figure, as expected of any army officer. On the contrary he appeared to me a typical and humble goencho Irmao. In fact I called him a Irmao since then as our friendship flourished. Many a times we conversed in konkani to the amusement of others, and much to their chagrin in not knowing what we were talking about.

Victor had a regimental acumen in what ever he perceived, which was evidenced by his character and integrity, though he was a great admirer of pomp and grandeur, yet he was a man of great compassion who unceasingly strived to help others in need, and worked tirelessly to achieve his goals.

He loved to converse with the elderly folks and used to volunteer his time to visit the nursing homes in Scarborough, and regale in his military escapades in the Kenyan Armed Forces, which many a times used to put the old folks to sleep.

He was also a man of many challenges and surprises. I believe at one time his wife Rosita had a craving to meet Queen Elizabeth 11. It was not long after that, they represented the Government of Kenya at the Queen's Silver Wedding Anniversary in Scotland.

He had the gift of the gab in every thing he ventured, and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was involved with the fund raising for Holy Land here at St. Aidan's parish along with other Knights & Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre and played a significant role in the money raised.

The age old adage reveals ' behind every successful man, there is a woman ' however; Rosita has been honest in saying that was not the case with Victor, he was a self made man and deserved all the credit for his success in life.

His pride was his four children, his son and daughters in law and especially, his grandchildren whom he adulated and indulged them with ice cream and toys.

He was a man of deep faith, who accepted it serenely and without any fear, when told by the doctors that he would not see the end of summer in 2004. His great devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary not only gave him great consolation, but also the courage and strength to endure with patience the suffering he was going through.

His only regret was that he would not be around to see his grandchildren grow up, but he assured all of them ' to pray and ask and I will intercede with the Mother of God and Jesus for you'.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep,
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sun light on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumns rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush;
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
'Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die

Eternal rest grant unto Victor, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon him, and may his soul and the souls of others departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

26 Aug. Toronto. "REMY" MARIA De SOUZA (aged 81). Wife of the late Justin. Mother of Meena (Fabian Correia), Joe (Joyce), Sylvia (Gabriel Mascarenhas), and Stephen (Martha). Sister of Nasci Caldeira (Australia).

25 Aug. 2005. Colva. FRANCISCO DA SILVA(F.X.). Beloved husband of Ivy,Son of late Alexio(Alsu)/Maria Antonia, brother/brother-in-law of Diogomarian/late Apolonia(Portugal), Carlota/late Antonio(Hubli), late Carmelo/Jovita(Portugal), Gaudencio/late piedade(Madel-Colva), Carolina/late Jhn(Verna), Filomena/AnthonyTellis(Chicalim), brother-in-law of Iria/Angelo(Belgaum), late oswald/Cynthia(Canada),Celina/late Johnnie(Canada),Clifford/late Carmen(Chicalim),late Ronnie/Tecla, late Mimi and families.

25 Aug. 2005. Ranoi-Aldona. JULIETA MORAES (Ex-Jt. Mamlatdar, S.L.A.O(Irrigation) Secretary to state Election Commissioner Administrator of Communidade(Bardez)). Beloved Sister/Sister-in-law of late Dominic/Eulalia, Xavier/Sally, Braz/Mary (All in Canada) & Lydia Moares (Goa).

24 Aug. 2005. Mauke Cook Islands. ARTHUR. FORTES.(ex Moshi-Tanzania) passed away after a short illness. son of Lucia/late Placido Fortes. Husband of Victoria. Father of Joyce(USA), Charlene/Dominica(New Zealand) and Des(Cook Islands). Brother of Desiderio(Cambodia) and Herbert(Canada).
Condolences to kazingumu@hotmail.com
Herbert Fortes, his brother writes,
My brother Arthur was a mechanic and joined the United Nations whereby he was sent to train the people of Cook Islands on how to repair their machinery in the late 70s. He loved the people and the place so much that he decided to quit the UN and live the Cook Islands. He married a local girl and had three girls and a son. He never left the Cook Islands.

22 Aug.2005. Panjim. MARIA TEREZA PEREIRA E FERNANDES. W/o of late Luis S. Fernandes, Loving mother & Mother-in-law of Esperance Fernandes(G.M.C)/Joquaim Jack Rodrigues(Alcon Victor Group of Company). Anna Maria Fernandes/late Danny Gomes, Santana Braganza/Isidore Braganza(U.K.) Milagrina Braganza/late Leo Braganza(ex-employee Goa University), Son and mother-in-law of Joquaim Fernandes(Smart Card) joao Fernandes(Dubai)/Laura Fernandes, Grandmother of Rudolf Gomes, Manuel Gomes, Ivan Braganza(U.K.) Joel Rodrigues, Irene Braganza, Meena Gomes, Leo Fernandes & Joy Fernandes.

18 Aug: Hanwell, London W7. DOMINGOES S FERNANDES (Aged 82, Ex Nanyuki, Kenya, born in Goa). Husband of Lourdes Fernandes. Father of Prisca, Gracie/Alan (Toronto), Maria, Anthony/Rosy. Grandfather of Christopher (Toronto), Antonia and Carla.