Large number of relatives and parishioners attend the last journey of late Louis D’sa

Report by Eugene Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

 

Moodubelle, 30 July 2010:  The mortal remains of late Louis D’Sa (83), popularly know as ‘Louis Master’ who had passed away on Tuesday, 27 July 2010 was laid to rest on Friday, 30 July 2010 in the presence of his family members, relatives and a large number of parishioners who had great admiration for him. 

Though it was raining incessantly, the funeral cortege left the residence “Desa Cottage” at 4 pm after Fr. Joswey Fernandes conducted the prayer service. The funeral Mass was offered at 4.30 pm jointly by Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Arun Mendonca and three Jesusit priests- Fr. Walter Andrade, Fr. Francis D’Almeida and Fr. Stany D’Souza who had come from St. Aloysius College where one of the sons of late Louis D’Sa, Alwyn is the lecturer in the department of English.

At the end of the Mass, Alphonse Alva offered the ‘shraddhanjali’ and paid rich tribute to Louis Master, recalling his service as a family man, teacher, and a person who helped the needy and the poor. Following the the ‘shraddhanjali’, Alwyn expressed his gratitude to the priests of the parish and those who had come from St. Aloysius College, his colleagues from the college who had come to attend the funeral of his father, his relatives and the parishioners who were present in large number to attend the funeral service.

Fr. Arun Mendonca conducted the funeral service and the burial ritual was held in the cemetery where the mortal remains of late Louis D’Sa were laid to rest.   

Late Louis D’Sa  was born on 12 June 1927. He was the fifth among 9 children of late Cajetan and late Remedius D’Sa.  Louis was predeceased by five brothers and one sister. After initial education in the Church Aided Higher Primary School in Moodubelle, Louis had his teacher’s training course and joined the Edmeru Primary School as a teacher  where he taught for nearly 35 years. He married Theresa Noronha of Pamboor in 1958 who also served as a teacher, first in Bantakal and later in the Church Aided Higher Primary School in Moodubelle. They have eight children-Philomena, Patrick, Jeoffrey, Gretta, Alwyn, Joel, Godfrey Prakash and Nirmala and 13 grandchildren. Besides his wife, Theresa D’Sa, children and grandchildren, late Louis D’Sa is survived by his younger brother William (Willie Master) who has retired as a teacher  and a sister, Sr. Hilda who serves in Kollegal.

Following the passing away of his elder brothers while he was quite young, Louis had to take the responsibility of the family. However, he faced all the difficulties boldly. He was an ideal teacher, helping those even financially when they were in difficulties. Often he would  go to the houses of the dropped out students and persuade their parents  to send their children to school even promising and helping them financially and by other means. Many of the students who had the opportunity to be his students and achieved great position in career and society remember fondly and respectfully the contribution of Louis Master in shaping their lives.

Louis Master had a soft corner for the poor and the downtrodden. While in teaching profession, he helped a number of poorer people to get government land through declaration. From his own property, Louis Master had given five cents of land to the Kappandakarya Yuvaka Mandala to carry on their social and cultural activities. He had helped many in getting education and even encouraged his fellow young teachers to do further training so that they could be effective in their teaching. He did help a number of poor people by providing, rice, vegetables and coconuts in time of need. 

Even after retirement from the teaching service in 1982, Louis Master carried on his social work and guided many students in their education.  He was a lover of nature and did not hesitate to cultivate his land and grow rice, vegetables, etc. and look after cattle while continuing his teaching profession. He was a straight forward person and followed the path of truth and his conscience. Being a teacher himself, Louis Master provided good education to his children so that they could achieve greater success in their lives.  

On hearing the news of the sad demise of Louis D’Sa, Shri Mahabhaleshwara Anudhanitha Higher Primary School, Edmeru, where Louis Master had rendered service for a long time was kept closed on  Wednesday, 28 July 2010 as a mark of respect to one of their reputed and widely respected teachers.

Bellevision pays hearty condolences to the bereaved family of late Louis D’Sa.