It is with deep grief I am writing these
few lines to express my sorrow, gratitude and appreciation for our dear Fr. Eduardo
Antonio De Souza known only as Fr. Edwad when he was a teacher and Rector of
the boarding at St. Joseph’s High School, Arpora for some years there from mid
sixties when I was a student there. In
1966 he was my teacher and looking after the interest of extra curricular
activities by taking care of the needs of sportsmen. In the scholastic year
1966-67 when I became the individual champion of Goa and by running the fastest
100 mtrs in Goa, it was partly he was responsible to encourage me to run faster
and faster. And after the meet got over
and when I was declared the hero of that
year’s All Goa inter-school Athletics Meet, held at Tembi Ground – Anjuna, he
was the happiest person among all because he always took pleasure in my merits
either in sports or academics.
He was a very humble
priest but top disciplinarian befitting the tradition of this school. As a teacher he was very smart because he was
easily understanding the psychology and
difficulties of the students and accordingly he used to come to the level of
the students to teach them. Students
used to like him very much not only because he was a good teacher but more
because he was very helpful to the personal needs of the students but never
disclosing to others. He was our Confessor in the school for both the day
scholars and boarders.
Under his supervision,
boarders in my school were given very good discipline by him. He enjoyed good
respect of everyone in the school both from the teaching staff and management and also the
students.
After my retuning back
to Goa he was constantly in touch with me and used to discuss with me many topics of my
articles as he used to read me everywhere where I was writing admiring where it
was to be admired and pinching me where it was required. He was a sincere person and straight forward
and always obedient to his superiors and the same he was expecting from his
subordinates.
Priests of his caliber are
rarity now. His love for Goa and Goan
causes was extreme. We will miss him
very much from our midst.
May his soul rest in
peace.
A.Veronica Fernandes.
