DECEMBER 1, 1935 – APRIL 20, 2024
Roberto Barbosa passed away suddenly at St Mary’s Hospital on Saturday April 20th, 2024 at the age of 88.
Roberto was born on Dec 1, 1935 to Francisco and Feliciana in Feteiras, Saõ Miguel.
He was cherished husband of Maria Conceiçao for 62 years. Together they raised their 3 children Marie (Frank), Aida (Murray), and Manny (Susan). Grandfather to Kelly (Arek), Brian, Eric, Sarah and Lexia (Keyin). And loving biz-avô to Kailey and Jeremy. Roberto is survived by his brother Armando (Conceiçao) and sister Alda (Joaõ), predeceased by his sister Evangelina (José) and brothers Luis (Luisa) and José (Maria José). He was a brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend to many with whom he shared mutual love and respect with.
As a youngster, he would sit atop the local mountain and peer out into the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean and not imagine there being much else out there. That all changed when he followed the footsteps of his eldest sibling José and immigrated to Canada in March 1959 at the age of 23. He arrived in Montreal with nothing but an address written on a piece of paper and his trusty Portuguese-English dictionary. Being a freshly minted immigrant in a completely different country had its challenges but he never let those obstacles hold him back … he knew this is where the opportunities would be for him and his future family. After working hard on tobacco farms in Tillsonburg he found his way to Galt. He helped other Portuguese settle including sponsorships. He was instrumental in the formation of the Oriental Sports Soccer Club in 1965 that still stands and continues to aim to keep the Portuguese spirit and traditions alive in the Cambridge area.
A piece of his heart never left the Azores. For the past 35 years, Roberto and Conceiçao enjoyed spending time each year back in Candelaria in the home where he was raised. After retiring as a driver instructor, he continued to tell us his stories, watching John Wayne movies and tending to his livestock and his fields in the Azores up until recently.
Family was always very important to Roberto and his faith in God to always help guide his way.
“No matter where you go, what you do or who you meet, respect everybody and they will respect you”, he always remarked … the same advice his father gave him when he left for Canada.
We will never forget your wise words and all your contributions. None of us would be here without you. Thank you for everything and may you be treated with the best that heaven has to offer.
Relatives and friends will be received on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 5 - 7 p.m. and again on Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Coutts Funeral Home, 96 St. Andrews Street, Cambridge. A Funeral Mass will follow on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Gregory's Church, 10 St. Gregorys Drive, Cambridge. Interment to follow at Parklawn Cemetery, Cambridge.
As expressions of sympathy, donations made in Roberto's memory may be made to St. Gregory's Church and would be gratefully appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Coutts Funeral Home & Cremation Centre
