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.