Immortality is to live in the hearts and minds of people Sir Raymond Gomes son of latec Constatino & Late Ana Grancisca Alacoque Peteira.An educator par excellent at Rosary High School Navelim , passed away peacefully on 2. NOV.2023.He was battling a medical ailment for some years and the only hope was survival for a little longer. I did visit him ocassionaly .As his usual he never wallowed in self pity or seek attention .His spirituality and faith were his strength .He shifted the conversation towards others by diversions .It was indeed an admirable trait that he never once complained about his ailment but just brushed it aside as an inevitable baggage to live with .Such was his spirit of endurance that as his medical condition worsened his spirit to challenge and battle continued unabated. In this trying times his sister Agnes was at her best to give him comfort and solace of being wanted and cared for with love and dedication specially in the demise of his brother in law and brother too . Unfortunately of late I was not able to visit him due to my own predicament.He suffered with smile and endured with hope and faith. Spirituality and faith were the sources of his strength . His trouble with eye sight of late had added to his woes.It was not his grievance about non visits by his colleagues There are normal limits he said , personal and physical not to be interpreted as lack of interests to show concerns .Forcefully he participated in the recognition of Fr Robert Vaz and could not be dissuaded to feel offended for the refusal. He was an educator at RHS passionate about his subjects of English and Geography..I was pleasantly surprised that he maintained meticulous records of all performances at public exam.He was soft spoken and placed his views in a decent manner with positive attitude .A colleague described him as FD asset generating goodwill till the end. He may not have been academically qualified to teach literature but with experience and dedication , love for the subject and interests in students ,indeed climbed the ladder of profiency and efficiency desired. His contribution , competency , achievements could not be faulted on any account.Fr Robert spoke affectionately in glowing terms about him. As the Head for two years never had the ocassion even once to suggest or counsel him. He was a little disturbed when his teaching load was shared with another colleague post graduate in literature and specially trained in English .He accepted with humility the change and saw an opportunity of being favourably compared too.He did participate in activities putting his skills to productive use without reservations.He was invariably a member on selection of staff and his observations were valuable .He did not trample on pride of colleagues ,criticise shortcomings Legions of students have benfited through his interaction,approachability, dedicated efforts and thus are well placed in their chosen profession and in life Students past and present have a word of respect an admiration for his qualities of heart and soul as their affectionate teacher , who was friendly and understanding . I remember he had a characteristic habit of attending to his hairstyle and wore a signature cap. After retirement he had a flourishing practice of coaching that kept him occupied with his profession Colleagues had respect and praise for him as he was non interfering or inquisitive about affairs of others with an attitude of friendly nature towards all. Sir Gomes stood tall as a teacher and social worker.A bachelor , married to his teaching profession all throughout his life. He certainly holds a status of perfection in my humble diary of men , moments and matters.It is an unassailable truth that Sir Raymond is the epitome of immortality living in the hearts and minds of people he touched lovingly.The best an individual can hope to achieve in his sojourn of journey of life as the model teacher and an affectionate colleague.He will be missed but never forgotten for his indelible legacies and footprints in the sands of time. Nelson Lopes Collagues
Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com For your valuable observations before posting obliged for favour Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com
