Obituary of ARTHUR MONIZ DE SOUSA

Arthur Moniz De Sousa Peacefully, on Saturday, December 31, 2016, Arthur, beloved father and grandfather passed away at the age of 79 years at St. Boniface Hospital. Arthur will be deeply missed by his loving children Paul (Lisa), Christine (Christopher) and his grandchildren Aislynn, Mathiew and Ciera. Arthur was predeceased by his loving wife Eileen (Safiniuk) in February 1996. Arthur also leaves to mourn his sister Altina Medeiros in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Sisters-in-law Marlene (Stan) Ward, Bev (Al) Rich, Liz (Larry) Golis, Theresa Lewis. Brothers-in-law Mike (Debbie) Safiniuk, Alan (Debbie) Safiniuk, Barry Safiniuk. Also many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Arthur was born on March 21, 1937 in Salga Sao Miguel Azores, Portugal, where he lived with his parents and 5 siblings. Arthur lived in the Azores until he left on June 15, 1956 for Canada where he made his way to Woodstock, Ontario and lived with his brothers. In Woodstock Arthur worked on a tobacco farm for a farmer. This same farmer sponsored him into Canada. Arthur eventually moved to Ottawa for a brief time prior to settling in Winnipeg in 1961. Arthur went to Teachers College to get his grade eleven standing and after to Red River College to learn how to do high pressure welding. Arthur was a welder for the Union, Local 254 that he belonged to for his entire 40 year welding career. It was one Sunday in 1966 after attending mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral that he met his beloved soon to be wife Eileen. They married at that same church 3 years later on September 6, 1969 and honeymooned in the Azores, Portugal where his parents resided. Upon their return Eileen and Arthur lived in Winnipeg and 3 years later started a family of their own. Their son Paul was born in 1972 and their daughter Christine soon followed in 1974. As a family, they moved to Jenpeg, Manitoba from 1975 to 1979. While working in Jenpeg, on a trip home to Winnipeg, they purchased a parcel of land in Oakbank, Manitoba which would be where they would build their family home. While the kids were growing up Arthur was very involved with the community as an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Springfield Curling Club, Oakbank hockey team, Cooks Creek bingo and St. Michael’s parish. With Eileen’s passing in 1996 Arthur moved to Brandon, Manitoba with Paul to continue his welding career until his retirement from Simplot in 1999. After retiring he found a love for dancing. He took country dance lessons at Houston’s, which grew into a passion for Salsa, Tango and the Argentinian Waltz. Arthur continued dancing 7 days a week and got involved in teaching lessons once he returned to Winnipeg in 2007. He could always be found on the dance floor of every function he attended, tiring out any and all women he could find to dance with him. Not many could keep up with his energy and stride. Arthur also had a love for classic antique cars having owned many in his time. It all began with a 1966 Plymouth Barracuda that then followed up with a 1958 Ford Edsel that he rebuilt himself over many years and which Paul still takes pride in driving. In the last few years Arthur was notorious for being seen driving around the city in his 1966 Ford Thunderbird, Ciera always looked forward to Grandpa picking her up from school in the T-Bird for their cruise through Kildonan Park on the way home. Arthur’s last project that he was working on was rebuilding a 1966 Chrysler 300. Another of his greatest passions was spending time with his grandchildren. Once a year, every summer Arthur would drive to Edmonton to spend quality time with Aislynn & Mathiew. He took pride in being available to watch Ciera whenever the opportunity arose. He enjoyed spoiling all 3 of his grandchildren. They could always make him laugh and will all miss him tremendously. Arthur lived his life to the fullest. He had the ability to walk into a room not knowing anyone and leave with a handful of new friends. He enjoyed spending time with family and his frequent visits with his friends at Garden City mall for coffee. He had a green thumb which was evident when you walked in his yard and saw his beautiful flourished grape vines and amazing rose bushes. He would take those grapes every fall and make some “interesting wine”. Which if you ask Christine was great for cooking with, not so much for drinking! Arthur was a man with a strong will, big heart and honesty that always told “it like it was” whether you wanted to hear it or not. He was an amazing father and grandfather. He was always there for his children and grandchildren, standing by them through thick and thin with pride. Dad we will miss you always and forever but know that you are holding hands again with mom doing circles on the dance floor. Prayers will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 6, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 250 Burrin Avenue. Interment will take place at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Cooks Creek, MB. “May the soft winds of love blow softly and whisper so you can hear, that we will always miss you and wish that you were here”