Antony (Tony) Christopher De Almeida, treasured husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away at the age of 85. He departed this world on his favourite day of the week, Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 12:37 p.m., as the sun shone brightly through the window at the Misericordia hospital on a snowy winter weekend. He was surrounded by his loved ones night and day for 10 days after suffering a stroke at home on November 7 with his wife Lucy and daughter Jude present. Tony is forever cherished by his loving, devoted wife Lucy; his children, Jude De Almeida-Beaudry (Lawrence) of Edmonton, AB, Joseph De Almeida, of Red Deer, AB, Hyacinth De Almeida (Christine) of Dallas, TX, Simon De Almeida, of Calgary, AB, Olive Kalynchuk (Gary) of Edmonton, AB, Betna Huddleston (Mark) of Red Deer, AB; 15 beloved grandchildren: Sarah, Samantha, Ben, Brandon, Jessica, Melissa, Daniel, Jordan, Clarissa, Steven, Nicholas, Christopher, Mackenzie, Matthew, Calista; and sisters, Theresa Faria of Kochi, Kerala, Sr. Joyce De Almeida of Pune, India, and Angelina De Almeida of Red Deer, AB. He is pre-deceased by his parents Manuel and Clara De Almeida, sister Dotty Vivera, brother Rev. Fr. Joseph De Almeida, and sister Margaret De Almeida. Born in Palliport, Kerala, India, Tony was the first son and third child born to Clara and Manuel De Almeida, a lathe machinist. During Tony’s childhood years, he was home schooled by his English speaking mother Clara. He completed high school in Cherai, Kerala. He attended Sacred Heart College in Kochi, Kerala and then St. Joseph’s Jesuit College in Trichy. He graduated in 1950 with his Bachelor of Science in Physics. Tony taught at the Naval Base on Willingdon Island, Kochi and was a Headmaster of St. Mary’s Middle School in Palliport when he met his wife Lucy on a ferry on the way to church. Love at first sight, they were married on December 26, 1956. After the births of their first four children, Tony and Lucy moved to Ambo, Ethiopia where they both taught high school for two years. In 1966 Tony and Lucy moved to Alberta where they both taught in Lac La Biche, Westlock, Eaglesham, and finally their beloved Peace River, Alberta town where they enjoyed 20 years, raising their six children while Tony was Vice-Principal of Glenmary Roman Catholic School. He completed his Masters in Educational Administration during summer months at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. He was instrumental in bringing the Big Brother and Big Sister programs to Peace River. Tony was also heavily involved in the Roman Catholic Cursillo program. Tony and Lucy moved to Edmonton in 1988 after their retirement, and Tony quickly became very involved with the new Good Shepherd Catholic Church as a member of the Church Council, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Eucharistic Minister, and the architect and brainchild behind the Good Shepherd Catholic Church annual International Day Dinner and Celebration. Tony enjoyed nature immensely and many hobbies, including photography, gardening, hunting, fishing, wood working, painting - and especially travelling the world. His travels included Egypt, Jordan, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Germany, Britain, Yugoslavia, Italy, Vatican, Portugal, Singapore, United Arab Emirate, Brazil, Panama, Mexico, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and across the United States and Canada. Tony especially loved and cherished retirement winters at their beloved Fransbel House, Kerala, India home. Our hearts are shattered with our profound loss, but we will honour our father’s legacy by being the sons, daughters, and grandchildren he wanted us to be - formed deeply by his spiritual conviction and character. The family is forever grateful to the medical staff of Misericordia Hospital, especially: Dr. Jim Brown, Dr. Bussene, Dr. Kyle Gulbranson, Dr. Hosein, Dr, Kristin Kokotilo, Dr. Marion, Dr. Slabu; and the exceptional Medicine Unit 7 East Nursing Staff, especially: Vijaya, Theresa, Ilona, Solange, Janelle, Jackie, Robin, Kelly, Karoline, Emma, Tracey and Lisa. A prayer service will be held Thursday November 21, 2013 at 7pm at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 18407-60 Ave. Edmonton. Reverend Len Gartner and Reverend Marc Cramer will celebrate a mass of Christian Burial on Friday November 22, 2013 beginning at 1pm at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, with internment to follow at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, 4814 Meridian Street, Edmonton. The family invites you to join in fellowship for a reception at Good Shepherd Catholic Church following the internment. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (heartandstroke.ab.ca).
Posted on: Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:06:31 +0000
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