Requiem to Alfred Tavares who died in Stockholm on 31.8.2014 Adieu my very dear friend Alfred. You touched the cords of our hearts and our lives in a very special way. Your warmth and affection encompassed every Indian who entered the portals of Sweden, where you opened the doors of your home and hearth. I was specially privileged to have been your classmate at St. Xavier’s, Goa in my very early days and sorry we lost touch for over 40 long years till our visit to Sweden in 2008. I’ll never forget your warm welcome and greeting. You always made me feel I was the same leggy 14 year old mischievous imp from Xaviers. I can see you Alfie getting in and out of the trains in Stockholm with Bilbo in tow. He was such an important part of your life till he waved goodbye with his grateful paw two years ago. You took us to your home where you had lovingly cooked a spread of such delightful Goan food. Such a treat it was, after the bland food of Scandinavia. The last time we met was at my house in Anjuna this February with Eva and Joanne. It was almost 3 in the afternoon and no restaurant was willing to give us lunch, but your charm was irresistible for the sleepy chef and cooked us a fine meal. You were the fourth amongst our close band of classmates to gently slip out of this planet,...Before you were .. Raul Fernandes, Nivea Fernandes and Ivan Rocha. Alfie you did not belong to this world and its trivialities; you were too magnanimous for that. Therefore, you had to eventually go to the place where you belong. Rest in peace my friend..
Bernice Pereira
