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Journal
Walter John D'Souza
January 20, 1944 - September 06, 2013
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND APPRECIATION TO ONE AND ALL
Today, the 6th of September 2014 at 7:00am we had an Eucharistic celebration for Walter and as usual there were no rains. The mass was well attended by parishioners in spite of the mass and novenas in the evenings for the feast of Our Lady.
My thanks to the proprietor of Maureen Printers Matias Vas who did an excellent job for the memorial books.
As I pen these few lines I need to acknowledge the loving acts of kindness that came from well meaning friends, who gave selflessly without expectation and made time to help me. This helped me immensely as I struggled to co-ordinate these preparations while balancing my daily busy schedule.
My thanks to our parish priest Fr. Urbano Menezes, the support staff at the Nagao church and the Nazareth choir. You were wonderful, we all appreciated your choice of hymns which you all sang so soulfully.
Thanks to Edward Ferrao, Joeboy Menezes and Ceasar Rodrigues
My special thanks goes to Florinda Jacinta Pereria e Azavedo for her constant and consistent support in spite of her busy schedule. She diligently and faithfully helped me in so many ways at every stage of the planning and execution. Thank you for being there for me throughout my grieving period going out of her way to help me.
I wish to thank all of you… Legacy .com, Kevin Saldanha, sponsors BMX Toronto, Conveners of BMX Canada, London, Goa and friends, well wishers here in Goa, and across the world. Its being really nice of you all to show your love for my husband and giving him this beautiful tribute May God Bless You all.
Walter will always be remembered for his uprightness and a true son of goan soil.
Started by Kevin Saldanha on February 19, 2015
AS THE CLOCK TICKS ON… by Florinda/Jacinta Pereira Azavedo
(Month's Mind tribute to Walter submitted by Florinda/Jacinta Pereira Azavedo)
AS THE CLOCK TICKS ON……………
Just can’t believe it……….. Today it is a month since Walter bid farewell to our planet Earth!! His dear wife, Sandra misses him a lot!! She finds the house silent, there’s a kind of vacuum out there in their home. Even the pets miss him, there’s a certain kind of silence which has befallen. Bhuji, the cat quietly goes and sits in Walter’s chair and at night slyly steals into his place on the bed. Their dog, Shepherd whines for him, and these are grief droplets from Walter’s pets and their pet kingdom.
The funeral on the 14th Sept 2013 was indeed an awesome one. All the family and friends, near and dear ones attended it. The main celebrant at the Eucharistic Celebration was the Principal of St. Xavier’s College Rev. Dr. Walter de Sa, who in his homily highlighted the goodness, sportsmanship, and all the various roles that Walter played in society. He made it evident, that Walter loved Goa, and went out of his way to protect it in his own small way. The other celebrant was Rev. Fr. Agnelo Quadros.
The choir JUBILATIONS really gave the Eucharistic Celebration that melodious touch. PEACE IN THE VALLEY was well sung by Ms Manuela Lobo. It seems it was Walter’s favourite song. Walter’s friend Adv. Antonio Lobo gave a eulogy, wherein he showed his respect and honour to his friend. He expressed his sentiments, with strength and emotion, stating that he would terribly miss his friend in the days ahead.
The procession to the cemetery was a long one; accompanying Walter on his last journey to his resting place were, his family, friends, relatives, his fans from college days from far and near, colleagues, neighbours, and the people from Nagoa who came to bid him their farewell.
At the Visitors’ Book / Memory Book kept outside the Church and at the residence as well, many expressed their sentiments and put down their thoughts. During his leisure hours, Walter used to teach his village boys to play football, and cricket, some of these boys did turn up to say goodbye, and tried to help in little ways. It is a point to note that gratitude has not been killed completely in Goa.
Family and friends gathered at Walter’s home. They said a prayer together. It was an uneasy feeling. There was a fellowship, and then everyone went away with a heavy heart, wishing Walter’s wife Sandra, his sisters Winnie, Wanda and his nephews Jonathan and Ravi.
Many of us made it to Walter’s fifteenth day Memorial Service. The Eucharistic Celebration was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Jose Fernandes MSFS. His homily was impressive, as he praised God for the great, yet simple life of Walter. The Nagoa Church Choir sung during the Mass. Walter used to participate and be a part of that choir, where he played the guitar. Family, friends, relatives, neighbours and the people from the village attended. After the Mass, Father blessed Walter’s resting place, and everyone joined in prayer there. Sandra had taken pains to decorate her husband’s grave in a simple, yet beautiful way. It was bedecked with a grassy carpet of green, and a cross made of pastel peach carnations and a wreath of the same flowers was placed upon the grave. After a fellowship near the Church everyone departed.
Now, it’s a month today, time has flown by. Indeed! how true is the saying, “Time and tide awaits no human.” And time is also a great healer. This morning Sandra, all by herself went to Walter’s grave, she laid some flowers there, and lit a few candles around. While she prayed she wept, yes prayers to the Almighty and teardrops have a language only the one weeping knows. Memories will live on; we hope the balm of time’s sweet memoirs of the yesteryears will always keep our dear ones close in our heart and mind.
Started by Kevin Saldanha on October 06, 2013
Tribute and Thanks from Walter's wife, Sandra D'Souza.
Dear relatives and friends,
The 15-Day Eucharistic Celebration went off well. Unbelievably, it did not rain throughout the service, specially since we had very heavy, continuous downpours in the previous days.
I personally want to thank you all, in a special way, for contributing to this online tribute to WALTER. I guess it is the best form of communication in today's hectic world. Through it I actually rediscovered so many of Walter's traits which I had overlooked recently. I am glad that whatever I did for him was acknowledged and appreciated by one and all, as I did my best for him.
Walter's funeral was a memorable one with all our friends reaching out in a special way for his final "good-bye" from this planet. Walter fought his battle bravely telling everyone 'he was fine' and never even once swearing at God for his illness. Even the doctors were amazed at his ability to smile and joke through the pain of his respiratory ailment, which they gave me to understand is one of the most uncomfortable to endure.
I know he is in heaven because he actually said to me "He's calling me..." with his eyes looking towards the sky. When I asked him "Who is calling you?" he said "Jesus is calling me". I made him repeat the words "JESUS, I LOVE YOU" which he said with a childish innocence... so unlike Walter. During his illness his words would fumble whenever he made an attempt to speak but throughout his stay at the hospital, the word "JESUS" came out loud and clear.
It is exactly one year since Walter took ill and throughout the last year he was in and out of hospital. Recently the trips to the hospital became frequent and on the 5th of Sept. he took a turn for the worse and was hospitalised in a critical condition. The following day he appeared to have improved considerably and later that evening he was actually conversing with the other patients at the hospital. He was expecting to be discharged from hospital, but it was never meant to be... as later that night he passed away in his sleep. Little did I know, at the time, that he was on his way to his heavenly abode.
Walter is now is out of physical pain, he is watching us from above I'm sure he catching up with his buddies and family who went before him. The house is quiet and lonely now since everyone who was around me during these last few weeks, helping me for the funeral and 15-Day Eucharistic Celebration, have now returned to their own busy lives.
I now have to begin the new chapter of my life without Walter, open locked doors and look ahead with hope to carry my life's journey forward, the way it was destined for me. I take this opportunity to thank each one of you for your care, concern and help throughout Walter's life and for being so faithful and caring towards him and me to his very end.
Do keep him in your prayers so that he may enjoy eternal bliss in God's Kingdom of righteousness. Once again, "Thank You" to all for everything you have done for us.
Lots of love,
Sandra
Started by Kevin Saldanha on September 21, 2013
Eulogy to Walter by Antonio Lobo
Being Catholics, we believe that death is only the beginning of a new life and even though many of us treat the occasion of a funeral as the celebration of the life of the deceased, we nevertheless suffer within ourselves, to a greater or lesser degree, the tearing away of a dear one from this earthly life. It is especially poignant when we bid goodbye to someone like Walter, and even more so when death occurs at not a very old age, as in this case. It is especially paradoxical that Walter being a sportsman and a non-smoker, perished from a pulmonary ailment. Questions will always linger in our minds whether it was the dust from the mines where he worked which was responsible for his early death.
Walter, I think, celebrated his life and used his God-given gifts by ably making use of them and demonstrating abundantly his talents through his prowess in sports such as football, hockey and cricket and in the spheres of track and field, in which his excellence in Javelin, discus throw, shot put, long and high jump, in the four by hundred and four by four hundred meters race, etc. merited him the individual championship during his college days.
Walter was a person that you may have liked or disliked, but he was someone that could not be ignored. No one dared interfere with him. In the first years, he was quite the lone wolf yet he did attract friendships which underwent the test of time and distance and remained constant. His friends and admirers are spread on four continents as proved by the messages of condolence which have poured into the website created for that purpose on by an admirer based in Canada.
Apart from sports, Walter was also involved in social activism, he was involved in the labour union work in his company with a view to improving the conditions of work, he fought and struggled along with persons of this village of Nagoa-Arpora to protect the paddy fields from rampant and indiscriminate construction. He was a member of the Gomant Lok Pokx party and canvassed during the elections for various candidates including Matanhy Saldanha. He was also a member of Mapusa Nagrikancho Ekvott, wherein he participated actively, even when his health started deteriorating. He cared deeply for Goa and that is the reason why even though many of his friends migrated, he consciously took a decision to stay on and make his future in this his homeland and to work for its betterment. Goa has indeed lost a true patriot!
Walter was a true friend to his friends, a person who gave of himself unstintingly. His friendship was cherished by many. Even though he was misunderstood at times that did not deter him from speaking up for what he believed in. No one really ever doubted his sincerity, his honesty and his genuineness. Even though one may have disagreed with Walter, one could not remain upset with him for long. One way or another he would see to it that normalcy returned. All his friends will miss him deeply. I am privileged that Walter considered me one of his good friends.
I pray to God that he may help his wife Sandra and his sisters Winnie and Wanda to accept his death with resignation as the will of God.
May God give his soul eternal rest.
(This is the eulogy that was given at the funeral mass just after his favourite song “Peace in the valley” was sung by Manuela Lobo.)
Started by Kevin Saldanha on September 18, 2013
Walter's Funeral - Compiled by Lucindo & Rolfe
Our Dear Friend Walter was finally laid to rest on 14th. September 2013.
May his Soul Rest In Peace!!
The funeral cortege left the house at 3.30 p.m. The weather was cloudy with threatening dark clouds in the distance. Luckily the weather held up. No doubt the dark clouds were intimidated by Walter! The Church was packed with over 400 people in attendance some of the attendees overflowing into the Church Yard. The Choir did a great job with the hymns.
Antonio Lobo delivered an excellent Eulogy. Manuella (Antonio's daughter sung post Communion hymn Walter's favorite “Peace in the valley”).
The Funeral was well attended by many Xavierites of Walter’s Era. We met so many Colleagues who we have not seen for years, besides a few from Dempe College, Luciano Pereira.
It was good to see many of the old timers. Finton, Francis Lume Pereira, Antoo, (who celebrated his 70th birthday on 6th September at Belgium, had just arrived ), Adv. Francisco (pony tail), Ivo Pereira ( who was in Goa for three days), Derrick D'Souza (now has 5 grand children), John Baptist Fernandes, Teddy & Lourdes Nunes, Yvonne Nunes, Wynoma, Brian DSouza.
Sergio & Fatima Carvalho, Abi Ribeiro, Rozendo Mendonca, Ossie Ribeiro, Roberto Frias, Roy(spider) & Fatima, Joe (Patch) Pereira, Lenny (Table Tennis), Adv. Zuzarte (Ex Maths teacher in Brittos), Edna D’Souza, Lea, Ligia and Yolanda, Galdinho, Menino & his brother, Lira Rocha, Edward Ferrao, Florinda Pereira, Krishna Morajkar, Ashok Kamat & Madan Salgaonkar , (our class mate in Britto's), Natekar (Natli), Lygia, Dr. Bonny's wife Jenny & Sister Norma, Amor Fernandes, Fatima Siqueira DSouza, Consolacao Barreto, Francis Dantes, Steve Siqueira, Anthony Barreto, Tito & Maria Helena.
Ashok Mahambre, Redento and a few others paid a condolence visit to the house.
Susana (who called loudly from behind immediately after the burial saying, Walter, you are not dead, you are going to meet Fr. Palithanam, Fr. Nicolau & Tharakan and then continued by saying a few words for Walter), lots of elderly ladies but those days admirers of Walter, lots of people from the village.
Many from those times not from Xaviers but known to us were also present.
Lucindo and Rolfe went to the house after the Funeral. The family Sandra’s sisters and Walter’s sisters and two of the nephews Jonathan and Ravi were there. A few friends dropped in - Antonio Lobo, Francisco pony tail, Teddy Nunes, Wynoma, a few neighbors from the village were also present.
We said a few prayers for Walter, sat for a while and then slowly, one by one, we left.
Compiled by Rolfe and Lucindo
Started by Kevin Saldanha on September 15, 2013
"Walter's Athletic Prowess" by Antonio Lobo
Remembering Walter D'Souza.
On the 6th of September 2013, Goa lost a sportsman who brought honour not only to the institutions of which he was a member as a student or as an employee, but also to the state of Goa.
Walter who was born in Dar-es-Salaam,returned to Goa along with his parents from Mombasa, Kenya after his father retired as an officer in the customs Department. Early in life as a student of st.Joseph's school in Dar-es-Salaam, where he came first in long jump,discus and shot put, Walter showed his potential as an athlete.
In Goa he joined St.Xavier's College, Mapusa, in the science stream from where he would ultimately graduate. During his years in that institution he was an active participant in football, hockey and cricket in which he was quite proficient, his teams having won first place in the year 1967, as well as in athletics in such disciplines as the 100 metres, high and long jump, shot put, discus, javelin and 4 x 400 metres. In the year 1970 as an athlete representing St. Xavier's College, he won first place in the First Goa, Daman and Diu Sports Festival in javelin with a record throw, the longest in Goa at the time, and he came third in shot put. In the annual athletic meet of 1970 he won the individual championship having participated in the winning 4x400 metre relay team, taking first place in the javelin throw and second in the 400 metres and in shot put. In 1971 he won the first place in javelin throw and second place in 4 x400 metres, 4x100 metres,discus and shot put and third in 400 metres in the annual athletic meet. In the year 1972 he participated in the meet organised by the Goa Amateur Athletic Association where he came in first place in javelin and third in the discus throw.
Having finished his education he joined the Salgaocar Company which placed him in the mines. In 1976 he participated in the All Goa Mine Worker's Sports Meet where he won the first place in javelin and second in shot put and discus throw. In the same year he won the second place in javelin throw at the Interstate Sports Meet which took place at Orissa. In the year 1978 he won second place in discus at the Open Athletic Meet Alumni Association. In 1979 at the All Goa Mine Worker's Sports Meet he took first place in discus throw, second in shot put and third in javelin. In 1980 at the same Meet he came in first place in javelin and discus throw and his football team won the runners-up prize. In 1981 he came in the third place in discus at the said Mine's Meet. In 1982 he won second place in javelin and discus throw. In 1983 he participated in the All Goa Athletic Meet where he won the third place in javelin. In 1986 he came in first place in javelin and second in discus at the Mine Worker's Sports Meet. In later years he continued participating in sports in veteran's sports meets in Goa as well as in other parts of India where he continued to earn laurels.
He was 69 years of age at the time of his death. His funeral will take place at Nagoa, Bardez on the 14th of September,2013 at 3.30 pm.
Compiled by his friend, Adv. Antonio Lobo, Mapusa. (this was sent by me to the papers in Goa - hopefully they'll publish it)
Started by Kevin Saldanha on September 12, 2013
"Remembering Walter" by Antonio Lobo
Remembering Walter,
My first encounter with Walter was on the very first day of classes in St. Xavier's, way back when the College was at Bastora. On that day the students were asked to assemble in the first year arts class along with the entire complement of the College. On the way there I felt myself being pushed by the crush of students coming behind and I said something in protest in Portuguese and looked back, only to see someone glaring, with what I thought at the time was a menacing look, and I quickly glanced away and stayed as far as possible from him.
I remember one incident very vividly which took place much later... it was in the physics laboratory, we had a discussion about who should be using some equipment and we exchanged some heated words... The long and the short of it was that he told me to meet him outside after class. That challenge put my courage to the test... A skinny and much younger chap versus this toughie... I waited for him in trepidation outside the lab. I was alone by that time. Walter, as usual, was taking his own sweet time in coming out with his books and his bag and his umbrella which, in those days, was his inseparable equipment, as was his Raleigh cycle. Those days most of us would ride cycles to get to College. Finally he came out of the lab and whilst pretending to be surprised to see me around asked me as to why I was waiting and when I told him.... well.... he gave me a good-natured push and said "go...go home"... I did not require any further urging ....my self respect was intact. I had stood my ground...!
In the course of the years however, and as I matured, we became close friends and he became almost a part of the entire family. He shared in all our joys and in our private moments as a member of the family would.
I have known Walter as few have. He was not a boaster and would not ever speak of his achievements in athletics or in sports which were many, unless prodded. He was a man with the highest standards of honour and of probity yet understanding of the weaknesses of other men and willing to give a wide margin to such persons, always hopeful that something good would come out of it all. He joined the Gomant Lokh Pokx of which I was one of the founding members and worked, in the elections gone by in Matanhy's election campaigns along with myself and others. He was passionate about Goa. He worked closely in his village Nagoa-Arpora with likeminded persons to prevent its degradation by builders from outside Goa and was a member of groups such as Mapusa Nagrikancho Ekvott in which he participated full-heartedly.
Though a man of few words, he could be quite voluble in matters that he cared about. He was admired by many and misunderstood by some. Those who came to know him well became friends for life. He did not stint of himself to his friends, neither would he shy away from pulling you up if he felt you were in the wrong. In his turn he would humbly accept a friend's advice or rebuke. He had a heart of gold encapsulated in a seemingly rough exterior ... Truly a rough diamond. I shall miss him a lot for he was my great and true friend...a brother. May his soul rest in peace.
Antonio Lobo
Started by Kevin Saldanha on September 12, 2013
Memories of Walter
Please submit your memorial tributes to vegvet@gmail.com so that we may build a journal from which Walter's family may draw some comfort in the way he touched individual lives.
Started by Kevin Saldanha on September 12, 2013
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Sunday, March 6, 2016
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