BERNARDINO ‘BEN’ MOURA REIS, 89 years old, passed away February 12th, 2022 surrounded by the love and gratitude of his children and grandchildren. Reunited with seu amor, Virginia Moreira de Melo Reis who passed away a year ago on February 3rd, 2021. We will miss you Pai, but knowing you are together once again having ice cream on the porch brings us much comfort and peace at this time. He asked us not to stop but to keep moving forward and don’t look back. Sorry Pai, we are looking back, what you and Mom created is truly a beautiful life to behold. To not honour it, would not feel right.
Our armchair philosopher was born on March 9th, 1932 to Manuel and Ana in Santa Maria, Azores he had to follow the ‘knocking in his heart’ upon seeing this beautiful young woman at the village store and married her on January 20th, 1955. With a dream of a better life for their young family in their heart, their courage brought them to Canada on May 1st, 1963. It was a beautiful life they built by the sweat and honesty of their tirelessly working hands. Those in Ben’s presence were always met with a bright smile and a sparkle in his eye. His greatest pastimes involved indulging in Old Dutch Popcorn Twists, gardening and puttering around the house inventing gadgets to make life ‘easier’. Avô’s workbench in his shed will always be remembered by his grandkids as the place they learned not only to work with hand tools, but learned about life and have a chance to hang out with Avô in his happy place while he watched his garden grow.
Our beloved Pai, has been reunited with our brother Manuel who passed away June 9th, 1961. Left to mourn are his loving children; Ana Maria Paret (Roger) and George Reis (Janice) who will forever cherish very early road trips to Augusta Avenue in Toronto, fishing at Port Dover, ice cream at Dairy Queen and his amazing barbequed sardinhas. Ben is loving Avô to 3 beautiful grandchildren who lit his heart with indescribable joy; Eric Reis (Danielle), Vanessa Reis (Dave) and Noah Paret. His love for all of us shone through his eyes everytime we walked in the room. He was so happy being the taxi service, an extra set of hands with newspaper deliveries and purchaser of Fast Eddie burgers for his grandkids. Left to mourn is his sweet fur-grandpuppy Chase and the newest member of the family great-grandpuppy Kali.
Bernardino is survived by his adoring sister Rosa (João) Figueiredo and by his sisters-in-law: Maria (Francisco) Reis and Beatriz (Manuel) Figueiredo. He is predeceased by his brothers and sisters: Antonio Figueiredo, Manuel (Beatriz) Figueiredo, Maria (Antonio) Soares, João (Maria) Reis, Virginia (João) Andrade, Jose Reis, Emilia (Manuel) Moreira, Conceição (Bernardino) Soares, Francisco (Maria) Reis, Ana (Jose) Andrade, Ermelinda (João) Luis. Also predeceased by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: João Figueiredo, Maria Reis, Antonio Soares, João Soares Andrade, Jose Andrade, Bernardino Soares, João Luis, Manuel Moreira, Maria de Melo Moreira (João Soares Andrade), Maria de Jesus Moreira (Manuel Moreira) and Emilia de Melo Reis (João Reis). Bernardino also leaves behind so many beautiful nieces and nephews that he loved so dearly.
A special thank you to all the healthcare professionals that graced us with their compassion and care, we would like to thank: To Dr. Tamara Holling, Michelle, Ram; your compassion and understanding as you traveled this journey with our family gave our spirits peace, Benedetta, Joanne and all his Palliative Care Team from Paramed and the LHIN, hand over heart we thank you. To PSW’s Nadia and Joe we couldn’t have done it without your loving care. Kortney, you gave so much of yourself to our Dad’s care and well-being, lovingly spending time sitting with him, listening to his philosophies on life and love. He and we love you so dearly. And Lucy, your hands and heart helped us through these last years, and we love you more than words can say.
Resting at Corbett Funeral Home, 95 Dundas Street, Cambridge, where the family will receive friends on Tuesday February 15, 2022 from 6-9p.m. Provincial Guidelines are in place for social distancing and masks are mandatory for each person in attendance. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church, Elgin St. N., Cambridge, on Wednesday February 16, 2022 at 10:30a.m. Interment will follow at Parklawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, and in honour of his beloved wife Virginia, who lived gracefully with Parkinson’s, please donate to The Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bernardino Reis Saturday February 12th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Cambridge, Province: Ontario