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Memory Book
Walter John D'Souza
January 20, 1944 - September 06, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013 12:43 PM
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 4x400metre relay team, taking first place in the javelin throw and second in the 400 metres and in shot put. In 1971he won the first place in javelin throw and second place in 4 x400 metres,4x100metres,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)
Antonio Lobo (Mapusa Goa)
Thursday, September 12, 2013 12:40 PM
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 younge r 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 selfrespect 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
Antonio Lobo (Mapusa Goa)
Thursday, September 12, 2013 10:38 AM
Dear Sandra and Family:
I have wonderful memories of Walter - a great sportsman and always eager to win - never wanted to lose. Also never stopped bugging Susan, Myra and me. I was so glad that we met him at our last BMX reunion in Toronto. Can not imagine that was 10 years ago. During this difficult time may you feel God's loving arms around you all. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Xavier and Clara
Clara Fernandes (Toronto)
Thursday, September 12, 2013 3:37 AM
Dear Sandra & Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the death of Walter. May God give you and the family the strength to come to terms with your grief. I was Walter's junior at St. Xavier's College in Goa. With Sympathy, Mike & Effie.
Michael Fernandes (Mombasa, Kenya.)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 2:21 PM
Walter,
A pillar of St. Xavier's in the late 60's, a good hockey player, often having a verbal fights specially with Richard, many a times I was the cause. A very good Athlete, specially throws, a silent admirer of beautiful girls (new comers). Strong principles, fought for the cause of Goa and a strong participant in the opinion polls of Goa. Walter, thank you for being my friend, I admired you for your courage and although you were hot tempered, you had a hearth of Gold. Good bye my friend. My deepest sympathies to Sandra, may his Soul RIP. Lucindo
LUCINDO FARIA (Mapuca)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 11:58 AM
Dear Sandra
I have witnessed all that you have gone through during Walter's illness. You have done your very BEST! Do accept our condolence and prayers for Walter and to you as well. Zuricka-Ann * Tikiri, & Neil-john * Manasi send you their wishes, and their whisper of prayers. May the Almighty give you the strength and zest to go on with life. Your dear spouse shall bless you from up above. Warmly & Naturally Florinda Pereira Azavedo Paetona, Salvador do Mundo 403 101 / Khorlim, Mapusa 403 507 Bardez, North GOA, INDIA.
Florinda Pereira Azavedo (Khorlim, Mapusa, Bardez, N.GOA, IN)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 11:38 AM
To Walter's whole family,
While I was junior to Walter, I'd known him for a while now and was saddened by the news of his passing. My family joins me in offering you all our prayers and condolences at this difficult time. May he rest in peace. God bless you all.
Ivor Mendes (Mississauga)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 11:06 AM
Dearest Sandra,
On behalf of BMX Toronto, please accept our most sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies of the passing of our dear friend and colleague. Walter has always been an inspiration to us …….his generosity, kindness and camaraderie flowed ever so abundantly. He meticulously excelled in all that he undertook. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the family during these tough times. May his soul rest in Eternal peace Joe Nunes President BMX TORONTO
Joe Nunes (Toronto)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 10:16 AM
Dearest Sandra,
We have lost a very good and dear friend. A man of few words but always pleasant, ever similing, generous and very eager to help others whenever needed.I enjoyed talking to him recently.We all drew a wealth of advice and knowledge whenever we spoke to him. He was a great Man, a great and loving friend. Will be missed by all who knew him. May his soul rest in Eternal peace. Joe & Pam Nunes
Joe Nunes (Toronto)
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 8:33 PM
Dear Sandra, Winnie, Wanda and family,
please accept these words of condolence from Lisette & myself in deep sympathy on the death of Walter. Although I was junior to him, we had the pleasure of meeting him here in Toronto for the 2004 BMX reunion and then again in Goa in 2006. I hope the Marian Intention card from BMX-Toronto (sent with Wanda) and this website brings you some measure of comfort.
With sympathy,
Kevin (& Lisette)
Kevin Saldanha
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Sunday, March 6, 2016
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