Thursday 24th of this month was the very horrible day for me because at J M J Hospital Porvorim, at 2.00 PM my eldest brother popularly known as Cheddo got a massive heart attack when undergoing treatment for some other ailment in that hospital. He was 83 and retired from Goa Police – Panjim, in a Technical Division.
At his residence
He was a public figure in my village and had a great wish to fight for the downtrodden and weak. He was very active in the local affairs namely in Panchayat during the Gram Saba Meetings, at Mandd, in the Church and elsewhere. Fighting for justice and right is his forte. Some of the local politicians were even trying to bribe him to prevent him from raising important issues but he was adamant and never submitted because in such matters he was most upright. He helped so many people to get their work done but never accepted anything in return. He fought vigorously against injustice in our village. In the last Assembly Election, he totally supported Michael Lobo even going with him house to house for canvassing as he was a firm supporter of Lobo. Many of those who enjoyed his support did not even see him in the hospital when he was sick there,of course unfortunately.
Local Pe. Vigar
He was an ace footballer playing for Goa Police since 1958 gaining name and fame when the word Cheddo means terror for opponents’ defenders and goalie as well. He could use his both the legs with equal ease but his right foot had better power and inspite of this fact, he had an unique distinction of scoring a goal from his left foot against the then mighty team Academica, from the Centre line on Candolim ground. When he joined Goa Police he was a rare Goan player to get an opportunity to play along with the then mighty Pakle and Khapri players but because of his high calibre he succeeded and went on playing for longest period. Candolim is yet to produce another Cheddo.
His grand daughter on funeral oration
His other plus point is this that he was always a decent player not hurting nor playing rough, he was a speedy centre forward. For one mighty team of Candolim in late sixties we all three brothers played together, the other brother of mine was the late Josemarie of Sesa.
Abut 15 days before the Opinion Poll he went to Bhopal along with the Goa Polce team to participate in the all India Police tournament held at Bhopal. While playing against Maharastra he scored two beautiful goals and played very well. Immdiately after the final whistle, the Team manager of Maharastra a ranking Police Oficer told my brother now not to go back to Goa but come with them to Bombay as they want to induct him in their team since after 2 weeks Goa will be surely merged officially with Mharastra, as per the intelligence report. When my brother said no, the Maharastrian Officer laughed at my brother saying even if you refuse now we will legally bring you to Maharastra after 15 days when Goa surely will be a part of Maharastra.
May his soul rest in peace AND may the Heavenly God give courage for his both the children Conny and Muller, grand children, brothers and sisters and all other family members to bear this loss.
A.Veronica Fernandes.