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+Matilda
Demello
Information from:
goans_tanzanite@yahoogroups.com
Matilda Demello passed away peacefully on March
11th, 2009 at the age of 91 at Cawthra Gardens Long
Term Care. She is the wife of the late Joseph
Demello (Tanganyika Packers) She is the mother &
mother in law of Norma & Eric Starkie, Thelma &
Steve D'Souza, Leslie & Teresa Demello and Oscar &
Doris Demello. She is the grandmother of Sandra &
Francis, Michael, Cathy & Gavin, Sidney & Kim,
Desiree, Jeffrey, Sarah, Darren, Jamie, Jessica &
Rebecca. She is the Great Grandmother of Nicole,
Kaitlin, Mitchell, Matthew, Alexa & Brooklin.
Matilda had a wonderful life and was she always
surrounded by her children and Grandchildren. She
will be missed tremendously.
Eternal rest grant unto Mama Matty. Let perpetual
light shine on her and may her soul rest in peace.
Amen.
Funeral Details for Matilda
Demello (Mama Matty)
Visitation:
Sunday, March 15th, 2009 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Scott
Funeral Home, 420 Dundas Street East, Mississauga
(closest main intersection is Dundas/Cawthra Rd)
Funeral Mass:
Monday, March 16th, 2009 9:30 AM Saints Peter and
Paul Parish 4070 Central Parkway East, Mississauga,
ON L4Z1T6 Interment
Cemetery:
Assumption Catholic Cemetery 6933 Tomken Road
Mississauga, ON L5T1N4 |
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AN ICON IN
OUR TIME- DR. NEVES F. PEREIRA, 1926-2009
By Raymond De Mello
Note: Neves Francisco Pereira passed away February 27, 2009
peacefully with his family at his side at York
Central Hospital (Ontario- Canada) after a long and
brave struggle.
See notice in Toronto Star:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n
Raymond De Mello, of Oakville, Ontario, was his
former pupil at the Dr. Ribeiro Goan School, Nairobi
– Class of 1965
 Though
we mourn the passing of a distinguished Goan success
story, we also celebrate and acknowledge his
outstanding life achievements. From challenging
beginnings, Neves (if I may be permitted to address
him thus), like the fabled phoenix, rose from the
ashes of his disadvantaged youth, and through sheer
dint of hard work and diligence, rose to prominence
in East Africa and in this great country, Canada,
that he chose as his final home for his family and
himself.
After obtaining his first Science degree in India,
he proceeded to England and secured a B.Sc. in
Physics. At the age of 44 he graduated with a
Doctorate in Physics through the University of
Toronto. Going back in time, his career path has
been very impressive indeed. He taught at the Goan
School in Mombasa, rising to the position of
Vice-Principal. In 1962 he accepted the position of
Headmaster at the Dr. Ribeiro Goan School in
Nairobi, and the rest is history!
For me personally, Neves was a formidable role
model, and I count myself amongst the lucky ones who
benefited from his stewardship as head of the Dr.
Ribeiro Goan School. Some historical perspective
would perhaps be helpful in order to grasp the full
scope of his significant contributions to education,
personal development and music.
When Rev. Fr. Frank Commerford was the Principal of
the Goan School, the institution was clearly
destined for great moments, but his premature
departure shattered that dream, and indeed the
hearts of all the students. There then followed
what, in my view, was a protracted and disquieting
interregnum period. This steady decline of the
school was dramatically slowed down in 1962, and a
gradual reversal of fortunes followed.
It would be fair to say that Nevesīs move to Nairobi
was not without controversy. The Mombasa Goan
community seemingly ( and understandably ) did not
want to part with their 'Golden Boy' and were
consequently convulsed in animated debate about the
whole question. Eventually, compromise and the
greater good of the Goan Community took precedence,
and Neves was installed as the Principal of the Goan
School in Nairobi.
As a natural leader and authoritative figure, Neves
was a perfect fit for his new position. He had an
excellent rapport with his staff, and was very well
respected by students and parents alike. He was a
keen educationist and disciplinarian, and focused on
ensuring that we, as students, received a well
rounded education. To this end he encouraged
involvement in sports and various extra curricular
activities. Outside of simply academia, he was
determined that we all developed comprehensively,
and to our full potential. His vision, therefore,
saw the creation of various hobby clubs, a brass
band and a refreshing approach to education in
general. The brass band needs special mention since
it was his ‘petī project. Having formed a very
successful brass band in Mombasa, I would suggest
that forming one in Nairobi was almost his 'raison
dīetre', next to education of course. Working
closely, and with almost military precision, with
dedicated male and female students, he patiently and
painstakingly taught them individually to play the
brass instrument of their choice. When it all came
together, it was simply an amazing finished product.
Most notably the bandīs rendition of the Kenya
National Anthem was next to none!
School started with the morning assembly at the back
of the school. Neves, resplendent in his suit and
tie peeking through his graduation gown, led the
school in prayer, followed by the singing of a hymn.
To ensure full participation, all the students were
required to have their little hymnals with them. On
occasion though, he would stray from the hymnal and
engage in an impromptu teaching of a new hymn.
'Abide with me' and 'The Lord is my shepherd' come
to mind. His ability to communicate music in words
or melody was positively phenomenal.
Neves was a strong disciplinarian. He had a very low
tolerance for impertinence or disobedience, just as
we are with our own children. He did however temper
his brand of discipline with reason and
understanding. He was quite prepared to listen to an
explanation about an infraction, and alter the level
of punishment meted out, depending on how convincing
one was able to be! Conversely however, a student
who brazenly crossed the line would usually suffer
dire consequences. Unquestionably, he always tried
to be the reasonable person, and certainly believed
that everyone deserved a second chance. God knows he
gave me several, for which I will always be
grateful.
Attending school was by no means a daunting prospect
because Neves had created an atmosphere of fun,
without anyone losing sight of the need to be fully
engaged academically. We experienced many creative
and enjoyable activities, not least of all being a
visit by the Mombasa Goan School in early '65. It
was quite magical because we took them into our
homes for a week, and the entire visit was
punctuated with a feeling of warmth and affection,
as we came to know a little more about our extended
Mombasa family. There were parties, concerts and
much merriment...and new friendships were forged!
As a progressive individual, Neves understood the
complexities of an adult coeducational school. He
obviously realized that inevitably, male-female
contact would likely, in some instances, lead to
romantic relationships. It was my perception that he
was not prepared to be puritanical in this regard;
in return he fully expected that students would come
to school and use it as a place of study,
interspersed with healthy interactions. His strategy
worked. In time the Dr. Ribeiro Goan School was
firmly entrenched on the East African map. Our brass
band won wide acclaim, the sports teams excelled at
inter-school meets, academically the school soared
with the best of them, the name Neves Pereira became
synonymous with leadership, sophistication and
charisma, and we were proud to mention the name of
our school, with the emphasis on 'Goan'.
In 1965 Neves and his family came to Canada where he
continued to be very successful. At the time of his
retirement he was the Director of the educational
arm of the Ontario Science Center. Inevitably, his
passing has deprived us of a wonderful and
compassionate human being. As his beautiful, elegant
and beloved wife Urmilla takes fledgling steps in
her changed circumstance, there will be solace in
all the cherished memories, of which there must be
many. Her loving, devoted and handsome sons Neville,
Jon and Suresh will always be around to shower their
gorgeous Mum with love and emotional support, all
the while doting on her.
Neves leaves behind a brilliant legacy that will
surely endure. His accomplishments are a matter of
record, and it is to be hoped that present and
future generations within the community will attempt
in some measure to fill his shoes and replicate his
life and career of distinction.
May his soul rest in peace
By Raymond De Mello |
