GLOWING TRIBUTES TO A DEAR FRIEND FILIPE NERI MENEZES I used to jokingly say that Filipe Neri's are very prominent and famous persons Do not include me in the company of great and famous was his response
ONE DAY ALL OUR IMPOTANCE AND SELF WORTH WILL BE BURIED IN OUR GRAVE .A HANDFUL OF MUD WILL BE THE LAST PAT ON OUR BACK ,RATHER COFFIN. THEN EVERYTHING WILL BE OVER .THE LOVED ONES WILL TOO SOON FORGET FRIENDS ARE OFTEN FOR WHAT THEY CAN GET OUT OF RELATIONS , SELDOM STAND BY YOU IN TIMES OF DISTRESS FILIPE WAS DIFFERENT FOR WHAT HE COULD GIVE TO ENRICH ANY RELATIONS HE WAS WARM , FRIENDLY AND RESPECTFUL GENTLEMAN YOU TOO KNEW HIM WELL Mr Filipe Neri Menezes Passed away on 5.6.2021. He was born on 17.1.1933 to Inacio and Santana menezes He was ailing for sometine and was confined to house due to an accidental fall at home .The Covid pandemic added to his woes.He was a footbal enthusiast and was very well informed about various aspects of soccer.He took keen interest in the soccer progress.His political interests were phenomenal and used to be emotional at the happenings of political upheavals in Indian politics He had burning feelings about the caste system and traced all ills to the rigid beliefs ,customs,and traditions to which Indians were enslaved OR subjugated .Being in British Africa over the years he was very much influenced by their thought process and way of life.He was disgusted about hyprocosy and double standards that are a part of Indian life.He felt that indians are very much agsinst British lifestyle but are comfortable with pant shirt and suit.Why do they not use dhoties he opined? He was mild in nature ,tolerant and would not get irritated about sexusl inuendos directed against him. HE was butt of jokes because he was a bachelor, but always kept his calm and ignored in a spirit of forgiveness tolerance sportingly . His response was mild and would express mild disent or reaction He used to be regular church goers and spiritually oriented .We shared company in a group over many years in the evenings at the church square . He was a very generous soul ,forcefully invited for light refreshment and would feel offended at refusal of his sincere requests. He was actively involveled with the Church organisations and regularly extend financial help to many needy and indigent persons and quietly supported education of the poor students and sponsored their educational needs .He was discrete about his assistance and believed in the philosophy that left must not know what right hand does. He enhanced his grant to the poor and deserving in the memory of his parents and expressed desire to increase further under Trust He always reminded me of his last wish to to encourage sports schemes specially football. I used to jokingly tease him to do it either before he or I go. His promise remained due to his own medical conditions .I was very close to him for many years. HE supported my Trust schemes and activities time and again.His support was vital at times ,rising to the ocassion to bail me out of situations He was always a pleasant company and much wanted by his colleagues . For sometime as a bachelor was , living alone,finding difficult to cope up with daily routine ,until his brother relocated after his retirement .He was relieved and comfortable thereafter. HE was a moral support to MR. A.P demello ,specially after he lost his spouse. He frequently visited him and offered him the pleasure of his company and help. During last few years he became quite irritant due to medical emergencies and ailments .An operation around his neck of abmormal growth relieved him of anxieties . He spent valuable time with his relatives abroad but was none too glad about having to adjust there.The poto here is one cherishable moment of his birthday celebrations .which took me hours to retreat from archival records and which was a grand affair to remember . HE had made SPECIAL arrangements for me to be reached home. I stopped home visits due to this pandemic ,as he was confined to the house due to restricted movement . He was never to complain about any treatment at home.They too understood him well and accommodated his little behaviours of impatience .He derived British pension,sufficient enough and which he said stood him in goosstead. He was not to seek self pity and burden his visitors with personal problems not drawing attention towards himself but purposely directed and diverted conversation elsewhere .Many a times while fiddling with his mobile , he would ring me in the middle of the night , but I understood his unintentional acts as he profusely apologized for his mistakes We will miss him dearly a good friend , reliable , honest and God fearing.He spent his resources towards ameliorating pains of others and to that extent his sacrifices , concerns towards others were genuine praise worthy of deserving a mention May his soul rest in peace Nelson lopes Chinchinim