Mangaluru: William D‘Almeida, founder of the Surathkal Welfare Association (SWA), Mumbai expired on October 27, at his home in the Kukreja Complex, Bhandup, Mumbai after a long illness. He was 73.
William is survived by his 89-year-old mother Stephania D’Almeida, Almeida Villa, Kulai, wife Cynthia Castelino, daughter Jean, son-in-law Sundeep, grand-children Shirley and Shelton and son Jeevan
He was a well-respected figure in Mumbai. Besides founding the SWA in Mumbai, he represented the Mangalore Diocese for the Eucharistic Congress held in Bombay in 1964.
He was also a renowned Konkani theatre artist who has acted in many Konkani plays in Mumbai starring alongside Betty Naz in many of them. The plays were mostly directed by Francis Fernandes Cascia with the best of them being “Kankaan”.
Professionally, he also had a vast experience working as a Quality Controller in companies like Ambarnath Steel and Bharat Bijlee in Mumbai. He also worked in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and then worked and lived with family in Kuwait for many years, where he worked for Kuwait Foundry. He also served as the secretary at the Kukreja Complex Housing Co-operative Society for the first 3 years.
His brother Valerian Dalmaida, a Chartered Accountant and Group Head of Support Services at Al Ain Holding Abu Dhabi, and one of the many investors in Newskarnataka.com’s parent company Spearhead Media Pvt Ltd., delivered a touching eulogy at his funeral in Mumbai after flying down from Abu Dhabi. Here are a few excerpts:
“Dear Cynthia, my deceased brother William’s wife, His daughter Jean/son-in-law Sundeep and son Jeevan and his grandchildren Shirley and Shelton, all my brothers and sister, my nephews and nieces and all my relatives and friends, we have lost a wonderful person in my brother William, whom we fondly called Dattu. While addressing him we never called him by name. He lived his life of 73 years in the service of his family and friends- of whom he had so many.
We are seven brothers and one sister. We lost one of our brother’s Gratian 14 years ago, and today we have lost our eldest brother. My sister hugged me and with trembling voice said we have lost forever the gift of calling out Dattu. Yes, that’s the cruel reality.
Dattu did his best in his life to give happiness to everyone whom he met. Even with unknown people travelling by bus, train and plane and he loved to talk and share his thoughts, life and experiences and loved to listen to them.
Like every young person in the 60s travelling to Bombay in search of greener pastures, he also made the journey to Mumbai, then Bombay in 1965. He represented Mangalore Diocese for the Eucharistic Congress held in Bombay in 1964.
Professionally, he moved to various places including Mumbai and Bahrain and eventually landed in Kuwait, from where he returned during the turbulent times of the Iraqi invasion. But during the ordeal, our other brother Dolphy was with him.
He served his apartment complex’s society in many capacities and this was obvious when they felicitated him with a shawl and flower bouquets last Christmas.
His health has been in decline for the last four years and when his son Jeevan sent an SOS messages to all in the Almeida WhatsApp group on Thursday, I could not sit back and let it pass – It was his love that pulled me to him and I am glad I could spend a few hours with him on Friday. Seeing him, I cried silently in my heart – literally, he had become a skeleton. Lord, I said, he does not deserve this. But he recognized me and blessed me. It warmed my heart. I caressed his hands, head and ears and asked his children and grandson to do the same and he liked it and before he fell asleep he waved his hand.
His lips formed words but we could not understand what he was saying because that ability was lost to him – but I believe he was calling upon God.
I called our mother in Mangalore soon thereafter (she is 89 years old) and explained to her William’s health condition. “He is my first born and let it be according to the will of God” Yes, the Lord heard his prayer and has taken him to his abode gracefully for eternity.
What can I say in the end but thank you Lord for giving us Dattu as our brother, and thank you Dattu for taking care of us, holding our hands when we were small, teaching us our lessons, and to laugh with your hearty laughter. We remember with fondness, your craving for photography, your dress code, your discipline and your methodical approach to any and every situation – you made us all what we are today.
With tearful eyes and a heavy heart, we bid you farewell. Goodbye, we miss you and we love you.”
William D’Almeida was interred on October 28, after a funeral mass at 4 PM at Holy Trinity Church, Powai.
Willam D’Almeida was the son of the Late John D‘Almeida and Stephania D’Almeida, of Almeida Villa, Kulai, and brother of Late Gratian (Vashi), Emmy (Thane), Dolphy (Kulshekar), Fr. Francis SJ (Principal, St Loyola College, Bannerghatta, Bengaluru), Valerian (Abu Dhabi), Joe (Kadri), Stany (Surathkal), brother-in-law of Violet, Cecilia, Blanch, Reena and Flavy and Late Xavier.
