Goodbye neighbor and friend

I was stunned to hear the sad news of Gonzaga. We grew up in the same village of Moira and attended the same school (St. Britto’s, Mapusa). While we were not very close during our growing up years, we had an opportunity to draw closer during our years together in Minnesota, where I lived and worked at the time and where Gonzaga was pursuing his Phd.

Gonzaga was very close to my children, Jeremy and Justin(very small at the time). He was particularly very fond of my older son Jeremy who had a pet name for him which I now cannot recall. Jeremy at the time was just diagnosed with autism, a developmental disorder. I’m sure Gonzaga’s sensitivity towards Jeremy had much to do with his research work in recreational therapy and the work he was doing with people with disabilities.

I remember that Gonzaga enjoyed my cooking. He would visit us often, especially during the weekends. I remember us staying up till the early hours of the morning engaging in deep discussions on a myriad of topics. Gonzaga loved a little bit of “village gossip” too. He would readily soak up any news of Moira I would share with him. We laughed a lot about our village ways, our strange customs. Gonzaga was a true intellectual and a very sensitive individual.

Sadly, we lost touch again when he moved to San Jose and my own life circumstances changed following my divorce. I am learning a lot more about him as a person as I read the postings from those who knew and loved him.

Gonzaga, I have already prayed for you and will continue to do so in the coming days.

May the Lord comfort his family, especially his mother, who I can imagine must be totally shattered. I know how fond he was of his mother. I shall certainly pray for her. May mother Mary comfort her and intercede for her for the grace she needs to get through this sorrow, for Mother Mary understands what it is like to lose a precious child at a young age.

Regards,
Jaime DeMelo
Dubai, UAE