It is with a heavy heart that the KCA, Mumbai, bids farewell to Richard D'Souza, who was an active and involved Member of the KCA, serving on the Cultural and Recreation Sub-Committee.  Blessing with an amazing voice, he actively participated in elocution competitions, debates, and took part in play and sports.  

A very talented actor, Richard bagged some prestigious prizes, both in School and College.  He took active part in the parish zonals, and also assisted other parishes in directing their plays for the zonal parish competitions.

Richard studied at St. Stanislaus, National College, and St. Xavier's Institute of Mass Communication.  Over the years, Richard worked with advertising agencies, and later on, the client's side, handling various advertising accounts.  

He also worked with the Modern Group as their Vice-President (Corporate Affairs), and was an active member of the Advertising Club of India.

Richard was a very happy, vivacious person.  He loved to organise events, and was the life of many a party.  Richard livened up events, and very often, compered most of them adroitly, be it personal functions, or events at the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana (WCG) or the Kanara Catholic Association (KCA).  Richard was an active member of the Social Committee at the WCG for several years, and also assisted the KCA for their various functions.  A man of few words, he always kept away from getting involved in controversies, but would willingly help anyone with his cheerful smile, organizational ideas, and skills.

Richard suddenly fell ill in the month of June 2018, and left for his heavenly abode on August 26, 2018.  The farewell service was attended by countless friends, relatives and acquaintances at St. Andrew's Church, and spoke of the genuineness and niceness of Richard as a person, friend and team member.  Our hearts go out to his lovely wife, Janet D'Souza and his two loving daughters.  Richard may have gone from this earth, but certainly not from our hearts.  His spirit lives on and will be fondly cherished.

Farewell, dear Richard, we know you are in your heavenly abode, looking down and smiling at all of us.

"Richly blessed, a gentleman hard to find; Instant help, a true friend to all mankind; Courteous, happy to all he knew; Hard to find one, he's among the few; Always smiling, cheering with a helping hand; Rare a gem, a good husband, father and friend; Dearly departed, one gone but not forgotten" - Roweena and Eric D'Souza

    

KCA, Mumbai, regretfully announces the passing away of another Senior Member of the KCA Council, former Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Harold D'Souza, aged 77, on 4th November, 2016.

Harry, as he was known to his friends, served the Association as Hon. Treasurer from 1970 to 1976, and then on the Managing Council.  Especially, at a time when KCA, Mumbai, was going through a testing period with regards to funds and resources, he was of great support in stabilizing the work of the KCA as a Trust, along with his mentor, Mr. Gerald J Saldanha.

Harold D'Souza practiced as an Advocate in the High Court at Bombay till he moved to Mangalore, his home town.  He again returned to Mumbai, and continued to render honorary service to the Catholic community in his Parish, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Chembur.  He was a man known for his simplicity and carried well his conduct as a good Christian.

The funeral service was attended by a large number of friends and associates in the legal field.

KCA, Mumbai, extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to his wife, Dorothy, and daughters, Roshan and Diana, and their family.

On Tuesday, October 11, 2016, the statue of St. Andrew dressed in a brown robe in its niche at the entrance of St. Andrew's Church, looked down benignly on the final journey of its creator, Flavian Frank, whose funeral wound its way below. For Flavian it was a homecoming to a church he knew well. His artistic genius had shaped some of the statues in the church - the outdoor statue of St. Andrew and the Pieta which is at the side - towards the back of the church. Flavian also crafted the double sided Crucifix (Msgr. George Fernandes’ idea) which for many years hung between the main altar and the front pews.

The facet of his life as a sculptor remained unknown till his son mentioned it in his eulogy and tickled an interest to elicit further details. Flavian Frank began his career working as an apprentice in Mangalore for a renowned sculptor. His sculpturing skills were neither in-born nor inherited, but with dedication, self-motivation, hard-work and self-confidence, he established himself as an entrepreneur in his early twenties. When he came to Bombay in 1947, he made statues comparable in quality to the ones imported from Italy. As he grew in   confidence he set up the “Flavian Statuary Company” at Mahim. Over time, he started supplying statues to various churches in Bombay and later all over India and beyond - to Karachi, Sri Lanka and Nairobi. Some of his other handiworks were crucifixes at the Goregaon Seminary, life size statue of Our Lady at Marinagar compound in Mahim and statues for Fr. Agnel’s Ashram Bandra.

Many years later, in New York, he noticed a statue of Our Lady with a missing palm at one of Mother Teresa’s convents. As was his nature, he volunteered to restore the hand. Although, he had long since retired, he had not forgotten his skills and did such an excellent job of repairing it even without a mould, that the nuns were so highly impressed that they suggested he should set up shop in New York!!

But it was not just the statues in St. Andrew’s that bore witness to the faith and dedication of Flavian. He was seen regularly hobbling amidst Hill Road’s merciless rush hour traffic on his way to and from church from daily mass. It was a heart-stopping time for all those who watched with bated breath till he successfully crossed, generally eschewing assistance, as he was a strong votary of self-dependence till almost a week prior to his last journey.

As testimony to his active Christian life, Flavian belonged to the SVP, serving the underprivileged. He was known to actively participate in social causes and civic society through active involvement in the ALM; promoting garbage recycling; resolving local issues and signature campaigns for improving civic amenities and services. He also participated in social outreach as a member of the Bombay Catholic Sabha.

Flavian’s life was a testimony of ‘giving’. He led a simple life, spending little on himself…but giving generously - often silently and anonymously. Being a man of few words, he let his actions speak for themselves.

For years Uncle Flavian would be seen every evening briskly walking down Bandstand, with a trademark stride he loved to call his ‘Soldier’s walk’. Among his admirers were people of various communities and age groups who would take a break from their evening walk to tell him that he was an inspiration. He had a small fan following who tried to pries out of him his secret to a healthy and long life. He’d succinctly reply: ‘Spiritual exercise and physical exercise’!!

........... a road paved with good intentions – and deeds!!!!!

(Inset) KCA, Mumbai, Managing Council Member, Mr. Eric D'sa, placed a floral tribute at the grave of Lawrence S D'Souza in Mangalore.

Our mum has been his rock, ever courageous and by his side – they made a great tag team! 

Making sure he had the best of care, mum has been the best partner he could have had. The support she has had over the last few months from family and friends has been incredible and we are so grateful for that.

Dad has been our friend, our captain, our courage, our mentor and guide. His ship has sailed, on a final journey, but we are sure he’s looking down on us, wishing that we continue with what he taught us, bringing laughter, joy and continue to help everyone around us.

Note from KCA:  Hilary passed away recently after a long illness.  The KCA was very dear to him & he served on the Managing Council & other sub-committees for many years.  Along with his wife Yvonne, Hilary has given tireless service to the KCA and was always available whenever called upon to help.