It is with the deepest sorrow that the family of Joao Pereira Neves (John) age 86 years announce his unexpected passing on June 15, 2022.
Joao was born in Vide (Muro), Portugal on December 30, 1935 to Ana De Jesus and Antonio Neves. He was conscripted into the military at the age of 18 and was very proud to serve in Goa, India. He immigrated to Canada in 1959 and made a living working in the bush. On a trip to Portugal, he met his wife Maria and the two married in 1970, returning to Canada to build a life and raise their family.
Joao was one of the first founders of the Portuguese Association of Thunder Bay and was very proud of his Portuguese heritage. He was a fan of Sporting CP; and every Sunday morning you would find him at the kitchen table listening to their games over the radio. He enjoyed making his homemade wine and loved sharing it with family and friends. He had an impeccable sense of style in his days and at family events he was always the life of the party and the last to leave. Many of his days were spent tending to his garden and telling stories of his experiences to his children and grandchildren. He didn’t watch a lot of TV but enjoyed “The Price is Right” and “Family Feud”. He was known by the residents of Current River by his daily walks around Boulevard Lake; even at Hogarth they were always looking for him on his walks.
Joao will be sadly missed by his wife of 52 years Maria; children: Antonio (Margaret); Vera (Lucian); Joao (Nancy) and his grandchildren: Emily; Samuel; Isabella; Alexis and Joao Jr. He is also survived by his sister Laura (Joao); sisters-in-law Lucia; Maria Rebelo; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada, The United States and Portugal.
Joao was predeceased by his parents Antonio and Ana; mother and father-in-law Alice and Antonio Rebelo; siblings: Antonio (Maria); Manuel (Cecilia); Jose (Maria); Maria (Joaquim); Augusto; Filomena (Joao) and brother-in-law Mario Rebelo.
The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to the staff and nurses at Hogarth Riverview Manor Second Floor, Birch Residency for all their great care and compassion.
Funeral Services for Joao will be held at Our Lady of Loretto Church, 290 Grenville Ave. on Monday, June 20, 2022 where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Francis Pudicherry at 11:00 a.m. Visitation for family and friends will be held in the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow in St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed live and archived at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well.
If friends so desire, donations may be made in Joao’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society.
