Obituary of TOMAZ OLIVEIRA

TOMAZ OLIVEIRA It is with the most profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved father, husband, brother, and grandfather, Tomaz Oliveira on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at Seven Oaks Hospital. Dad was predeceased by his beloved parents Maria Angelina and Jose Oliveira; sister Lucia Moreira; and mother in-law Maria Jose Sousa. Dad was born in Faja de Cima, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal on July 23, 1940. He will be forever remembered and missed by his best friend and loving wife of 45 years, Maria; his five children Paulo (Isabelle), Anabela Oliveira-Defoort, Fatima Oliveira-Artimowitch, Carlos, Tomas (Sandra); his beloved grandchildren Samantha, Mathew, Victoria (Oliveira), Andrew and Noah (Artimowitch), Adriana (Defoort), Jeremias (Oliveira); his brother Carlos (Maria Jose) of Mississauga, his sisters Madalena (Porfirio) Costa, Sara (Jose) Raposo; father in-law Domingos Sousa of Portugal; brothers in-law Jose Moreira (Maria Angelina), Leonardo Sousa (Adelaide), Gabriel Da Costa (Natvidade), Arlindo Sousa (Maria) of Lisbon, Portugal, Fernando Sousa (Lucia) of Toronto, Miguel Sousa (Cisalda) of Portugal, and sister in-law Maria De Monte (Carlos) of Portugal and many nieces and nephews. Dad served his country proudly in the Portuguese conflict in Africa (1961-63) and upon returning home joined the police force where he did service in Lisbon and Madeira Island, Portugal. While there, he fell in love and married mom, whom he spent the rest of his life with. He and mom transferred to Guinea, Bissau, Africa as part of the transitional police force, where their eldest son was born. Upon their return to Portugal, they had their remaining children in the Azores and Madeira Island. Mom and dad immigrated to Canada with us in 1975 and through hard work and love they raised their family. After working construction for many years, dad decided that he and mom would start the family business where they instilled their hard work and values. Dad was a family man first and foremost and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his family. He was a sports nut, his beloved Belenenses, Big Blue, and Jets was all he talked about. However, his greatest love and pride was his grandchildren whom he adored and always brought a smile to his face. Prayers will be held on Thursday, March 8 at 8:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 181 Austin St. N. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m. also at Immaculate Conception Church. Interment will follow in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tomaz’s memory to the Neonatal Unit, Children’s Hospital, 840 Sherbrook St. Winnipeg, MB R3A 1S1. Dad, thank you for everything you did for us. You will be forever missed but never forgotten.