Funeral wil be held at 4 pm tomorrow (April 6, 2006) in the church. I had spoken to Alfe as we affectionately called him just a few hours before in the morning where he gave no sign of anything about to happen.... He was a great sports person and a loving father.. we all remember him as a person actively involved in the club and the consumer cell... Seeing him on his daily jog around Saligao it's hard to belive how this happened.... He was working for ONGC offshore in Mumbai as a radio operator. * * * * * * * * [C.A.Gladston Ribeiro Sa' in Saligao] Alfred was always a great personality a loving father. He was the guitar person of our ward. Together with Gordon, they used to go around the ward with all the children, including mine, singing Christmas Carols. In fact the last December 31, we were with him. I had just returned home after some bank audit work in Bangalore at about 8.30 p.m. and relaxing in my sofa set when I saw Lalitha entering our house with the sad news. At first I thought that maybe her father was unwell and needed to be taken over to the hospital. Then I thought it was Aunty Joan; but one was shocked to hear that it was Alfie.It was 10.30 pm when this occurred. The only people at his house was his three beautiful kids, his mum, her maid and Lalitha, who had to be with his mum in case she were to have an attack. Lalitha only informed her that Alfie was crirical, as she herself has undergone two bypass surgeries. Alfie had consulted Dr. Chandrasekhar the previous day who found nothing wrong. He had an inner feeling that there was something wrong with him. He travelled to the Apollo Victor Hospital on April 3 and did a stress test. The doctor advised him to stay in the hospital, but he prefered to stay at his sister's place in Fatorda. At about 4 pm on that fateful day, he complained of chest pain as they were preparing him for the engoplast which was to be done on the morning of April 5. I phoned up Dr. Chandrasekhar this morning but could not reach him. He however called me at about 11 am. and informed me exactly what had happened. In fact, Aunty Joan had called him up around 7.30 this morning and informed him that Alfred was critical. Dr. Ch. then spoke to Dr. Kandolkar, the heart specialist attached to Apollo Victor. Alfred died of cardiac arrest. I as one of his close neighbours am experiencing the shock and start getting emotional when I see his little beautiful, beautiful children. All that I and my family can do is to pray for the soul of Alfie and for God to take care of his family. And with tears rolling down my cheeks I end this letter. * * * * * * * * [From Louis D'Souza of louisphotos.com.au in Australia]: I extend my deepest sympathies to mum Joan, sister [Clare], wife Lynette and his three children. I also extend my condolences to a number of Alfie’s good friends, among them Maxwell, Joe, Ralph and others too numerous to mention Alfie, as we all called him in school and through his life, was a gentleman and a good friend. He was a sportsman of caliber and always strived to do his best in everything he touched, be it music, sport or his work. He became a radio officer when many people tried and failed the rigorous exams. I received the notification through the Saligaonet, yesterday 5/4/06 and just sat in front of the monitor in shock and disbelief. Early this morning I got a call from my sister Judy who lived opposite Alfred’s place in Saligao in the early 80’s or so. I broke the sad news to Mariano D’Souza (Pilernkar) who is presently working here in Brisbane and he was shocked beyond belief too. He in turn called Richard Sequeira. We all managed to talk to each other and share our thoughts with each other in this moment of grief and sadness. Richard made an important point in the fact that life is too short not to keep in touch with our friends and people we grew up with. I hope that Alfie’s passing will bring all his old mates to talk and communicate more closely with each other. May Alfie’s soul rest in peace. * * * * * [FROM MAXWELL COUTINHO, ABU DHABI, UAE]: As I write this, our dearest friend Alfred De Souza is making his last journey along one of the all too familiar pathways that he often used to tread during his regular exercise walks or jogs. This is a different journey and I am sure he is being accompanied by countless of his near and dear friends besides family members, first to pay his last respects to our Mae de Deus and then finally to his permanent resting place. ALFRED, Goodbye old friend! Rest is eternal heavenly peace. We are all going to miss your presence so much. We hope to meet up in the clouds... in the heavens some day. Yes, indeed a strong pillar has suddenly come crashing down and our whole village has felt its rumblings. The wake of the shock waves is still being felt far and wide. Personally speaking, henceforth, during my vacations I won't have the good company of my closest and dearest friend anymore. And also during the occasional jogs I used to keep up with him. Then sometimes after this, the chats at the 'Dilkush-Sheraton' Chai shop as we used to call it and later on for the the 'bha-jis' at the beach. Memories, nostalgia... they all keep replaying again and again in my inner mind and dont seem to stop. Miss you old friend.... I join my hands and with everyone else pray for his departed soul. Much more than all our sympathy and moral support our prayers are what will make his soul happy most. * * * * * [FROM DILIP 'JOE' DaCRUZ]: I hope Ashley or some other whizz knows how to open an on-line obituary book for all of us to write in. When one lives away from home, the reaction to tragedy is to want to write. I guess the atmosphere at the church funeral tomorrow will be an epitomy of tragedy and sorrow. Like all of Alfie's generation now living miles away, I know I will be there. I shall march beside his coffin; I shall hold his sweet mom's hand. I shall ruffle his childrens' hair and I shall condole with Lynette. I will be there, Alfie. And I shall call for those 'knights in white satin' to bless him and his family. * * * * * * [FROM FR NASCIMENT MASCARENHAS IN VASCO nascimen at sancharnet.in]: Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas sends condolences to Mrs. Joan, Claire, Lynette and children on the sudden death of dear Alfred D'Souza. May his soul rest in peace. He will offer a mass for the repose of the dear departed and also pray for his near and dear ones in Saligao * * * * * [FROM QUENNIE (ANNA) AND DONALD SEQUEIRA, US]: It is indeed shocking to hear of the untimely death of Alfie. I remember him as a cool and composed guy. Please convey our deepest condolences to his family. May God grant them the strength to cope with his loss. * * * * * [FROM ANNETTE, DONVADDO/ABU DHABI]: Sorry to hear the sad news of the sudden demise of Alfred. His family and his peers must be very shocked as can be seen with Maxwell. We convey our condolences to his family & pray for the repose of his soul. -- Annette, Luwell & Ashley * * * * * [FROM ZELMA AND PERVIS D'SOUZA IN ABU DHABI]: I have no words to say to the family but can only pray that Alfred's soul may rest in peace * * * * * [FROM GRACE GODINHO IN OMAN]: Its indeed a shock to read about the sudden death of an active young guy like Alfred... still see him jogging/running in front of my eyes... would like to convey my heartfelt condolences to his fly Lynette and the lil kids, mother Joan, sister Claire and her fly..May the Lord bless his soul with eternal rest and grant strength n courage to the bereaved family to bear his loss. * * * * * [FROM MICHAEL D'SOUZA EX-ABREU VADDO]: This is to offer our sincere condolences to Joan, Claire, Lynettte and the family. May God grant you'll the courage and strength to overcome this tragedy. Our sincere prayers. Michael (S/o Angelo D'Souza), Vanita, Natasha & Tanisha. * * * * * [FROM LEãO FERNANDES IN PORTUGAL]: We send our sympaties from Portugal. My memory is quite week and I was not associating the name. Now that this mail writes about Radio officers, yes I knew Alfred very well, when in twelfth standard. In fact I used to have long chats with him when I was debating whether to do Electronics Engineering, Marine, or other. He was a very humble and helpful person. May his soul rest in peace. * * * * * [FROM MERVYN SEQUEIRA AND FAMILY, THE PHILIPPINES]: It is with deep regret and sorrow that I read about our dear Alfred's untimely passing away. I was in Goa some months ago and had the real joy and pleasure to meet Alfred and his family at the Church fete. I had promised to see him over the next few days but when I did go to his house, I was told that he had already left for Bombay to resume his duties. I did spend time with his Mum Joan, wife Lynette and the kids. Clare was on the way to Saligao that evening but was apparently delayed in traffic. A lovely, warm family like this does not deserve this. Late Eric also was a close buddy and his loss too is still uncomprehended. Dear Aunty Joan, Lynette, Shawna, Conroy, Anika, Clare and family, our prayers are always with you. Take courage and know that Alfred is with the Lord and smiling down at you. Our sincere condolences to you and may his soul rest in eternal peace. * * * * * [FROM TONY FERNANDES IN LONDON]: I'd like to share a personal view into one of Alfie's many unsung acts of kindness. Back in 2003 I was staring down the barrel of hereditary kidney disease and imminent end stage renal failure. Out of the blue ,an e-mail pops up from Alfie who had tracked me down through my neighbour Leslie Remedios (Donvaddo) .Hitherto , I had had no contact Alfie with mainly because I had not visited in years , saying that he had learned about the situation and sent me a list of recommended transplant facilities both in India and overseas .He also offered to further research the possibilities of various treatment options ranging from the natural to stem cell therapy Well Alfie I did try repeatedly to get in touch with you , to let you be one f the first to know that after two years on dialysis, a suitable donor was finally found and a successful transplant performed on Dec 27th 2005, but there was no response possibly because your e-mail address had changed . Somwhere in the great cyber-universe, I hope you are reading this with that twinkly trademark smile on your face and in your eyes ...! Perhaps...with the music of Bob Dylan's "Knock Knock Knocking on Heaven's Door " which you cherished so much ,playing in the background. Fare thee well Alfie ...! No one can ever walk in your footsteps again ...! George Harrison's "While my guitar gently weeps "...! will be my final dedication to you old friend! In empathy with his family and friends across the globe. A Anthony 'Long Tony' Fernandes, of Donvaddo, and currently London, UK-based. S/o Lucian Fernandes, brother of Leo-nard. * * * * * [FROM ANNU 'BOBO' AKA ANNA AND GLENN FERNANDES fernandes12@hotmail.com in Australia: I was shocked to read online the untimely death of Alfred, He was my classmate in Lourdes Convent. May his soul rest in peace. Our deepest sympathy to Aunty Joan, Claire, Lynette and children, May Our Lord give them and his friends the strength to cope with his loss. * * * * * [AN ALFIE LIST ON YAHOOGROUPS]: Kevin has set up this mailing-list: As a tibute to a life cut short by a maasive cardiac arrest, this group was started by Kevin Saldanha to get friends of Alfie together to remember the good old times and how best we can help his family cope with this tragic loss. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Alfie. * * * * * [FROM CHRIS DeSOUZA IN FAIRFIELD, CA]: It is with great pain and total disbelief that I read about the tragedy that has befallen Alfie and his family. As college students in Bombay Alfie and I spent many a day together in the beginning years. He was the only person from Saligao that I knew in Bombay. I used to travel every week to Hill road Bandra where he lived with his grand aunt. Then he moved to Dobitaloa and I moved to Crawford market area. We spent every evening together, taking in movies or listening to Alfred practice the guitar that he had just picked up. I remember just like yesterday hearing him play songs by the Beatles like Michelle, Norwegian wood. Act Naturally, etc. We then moved together into a flat in Mahim, Bombay which we shared with Nobert Fernendes (Nobby) and my brother Mariano D'Souza. Our flat was a hang out pad for all the Saligao boys going to college in Bombay. Those were the best times of my teenage life. I will always remember Alfred as compassionate, sharing, talented and fun to be with. After I left for the US we still shared a strong bond from spending so much of our teenage time together. We always met when I came to Saligao except when Alfred was off shore. With a hollow feeling inside me I wish Aunty Joan, Lynette and their three children my heart felt condolences and pray to God for strength for all of them as they all deal with this pain. I pray for everlasting peace for my friend and brother Alfie. I will miss you and will not forget. * * * * * [MAXWELL, ALFIE'S CLOSE FRIEND PAYS TRIBUTE]: ALFRED VINCENT DE SOUZA was a 'Radio Officer' by profession. At the time he graduated, ROs as they were called, were a very special breed of professionals and very many trained each year but only very few qualified each time. The first Job assignment he undertook he completed one sailing trip on board a ship as a Radio Officer, to the Far East and Australia. He then joined ONGC the premier Oil Company organisation of the Government of India, as a Radio Officer and had been in service for the last 20 years or so. He was always known to be extremely profesional in his work and rose in the ranks steadily to become ,anagement staff. Though he had a 14-day-on and 14-day-off work and leave pattern he always craved for home and family. We use to be more in touch online whilst he was at work offshore. I was in fact keenly looking forward to him being connected to the internet at home... and he almost was... I still cannot believe what has happened. Below I have copied twp emails which I had sent out to a couple of close and common freinds then, on September 3, 2003. Please read on... Q U O T E : 3rd Sept 2003. Know this man any of you?........... Yes, you all do... Well, he is none other than our common and close friend, ALFRED VINCENT DE SOUZA (son of Joan and late Eddie, brother of late Eric and Claire from Arrarim Saligao.) Attaboy Alf keep it up! Alfred offshore on duty at this time was called out onshore from Neelam yesterday for a felicitation ceremony in which the ONGC Chairman, Mr.Subir Raha, gave out awards to those who took part in the Search & Rescue operations after the chopper crash on 11th August. Below is the article which appeared in the ONGC website. Maxwell Coutinho Abu Dhabi/UAE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 11th August 2003 was a fateful day in the history of ONGC's offshore operations and indeed, in the history of the offshore oil industry worldwide. On this day, at 1217 hrs, all of us were shocked numb and enveloped by a great tragedy. The combined crew change Helicopter of S/Kiran and S/Jyoti plunged into the water, sending waves of shock and sorrow among us. The crash left 25 dead and 2 missing. Two ONGC employees, Mr. A. J. Mhatre and Mr. V. S. Mandloi survived miraculously, thanks to the heroic effort of Mr. Mhatre. Mr. Mhatre deserves the highest praise and commendation for acting heroically to save human life. Mr .A. V. D'Souza, Radio Officer at Neelam, who controlled search and rescue operations: In the eye of the storm, amidst the extraordinary stress, shock and sorrow of the moment, there was one man who had to act swiftly and decisively, with a cool head and enormous presence of mind. Controlling the ships and aircraft engaged in the search and rescue operation was Mr. A.V. D'Souza, Radio Officer manning the Neelam Radio Room. From 1217 hrs of 11/8/2003 to 0230 hrs the next morning, more than 14 hours at a stretch, there was enormous pressure and stress focused on one man. The Radio Officers duties involve co-ordinating and directing search and rescue operations. The crash of 11th August 2003 was a tragedy of great magnitude. With up to six aircraft operating simultaneously in the field and more than half a dozen ships to monitor and direct, at this time of great shock, stress and sorrow, it called for skill and temperament of an exceptional order to act swiftly and decisively. Mr. A. V. D'Souza rose to the occasion splendidly. Every radio call from helicopters, ships, rigs, platforms and base stations was answered promptly and efficiently. Communication was precise and clear. There was no trace of confusion or hesitation. For the sheer skill and tireless energy of his effort, Mr.A.V.D'Souza deserves high praise and commendation. The performance of Mr.A.V.D'Souza, monitored by many Radio stations was highly commended by one and all, including pilots and heads of offshore installations. It is, therefore, highly appropriate and deserving to express our appreciation of an outstanding performance in circumstances of great shock and sorrow. (The above are the personal impressions recorded by G. Ashok, Radio Officer at S/Gaurav, who monitored Mr.A. V. D'Souza's performance in the immediate aftermath of the tragic crash.) I would like to add to this the contribution of the Azal Helicopters Capt. Padmanabhan, And Capt. Soman, who in the midst of Production sorties sighted the body of late Shri Murthy, 10 days after the disaster floating. All the resources were mobilised for recovery and within 4 hrs. the body was at Helibase for embalming/cremation. Here the Contribution of the Master and Crew of Seamach-III requires special mention. Further, the Director (Offshore), Director (T&F), Shri NK Mitra, GGM (P) and others who were Coming to the Field took the pains to divert to the Seamach-III, to help identify the body. This gesture of the Senior Officers to land on the floater and remain there to supervise the entire Operation was a typical characteristics of the ONGC family and its APNAPAN. =J S CETLUR, HEERA PROCESS COMPLEX.