Casmir Menezes celebrates 75th Birthday with family, friends and well-wishers

Report by Eugene Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 13 August 2010: This was the day that the children of Casmir Menezes had been waiting for, 13 August 2010. It was exactly 75 years ago that their beloved father was born on 13 August 1935. All five of them, daughter-Pricilla with her family from Bangalore, Wilfred, Dolphy and Ivan from Dubai and Richard from Canada had arrived few days back to be part of a grand celebration. In fact their residence at Gud-dhottu named ‘Blossom’ was blooming with children and grandchildren though the work of modification of their existing residence so as to add rooms-one each for five children was yet to be completed, the enthusiasm of the children and excitement of the grandchildren since few days was something that was exhilarating. The incessant rain neither dampened their spirit nor the mess around and in their residence due to the incomplete construction work got on their nerve. They were all cool and jovial as if nothing would prevent them from giving a fitting celebration to their loving father on his 75th birthday.

In order to thank the Almighty God for the gift of 75 years of his life, the family, relatives friends, neighbours and well-wishers of Casmir Menezes assembled in the church for a solemn Thanksgiving Mass at 11.15 am on Friday, 13 August 2010. The Mass was concelebrated by five priests-Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Valerian D’Souza and two family friends, Fr. Frederick D’Souza and Fr. Baptist Paes (SVD) who came all the way from Mumbai and was also the main celebrant of the Thanksgiving Mass. Casmir Menezes and all the five children and grandchildren had put on their finest dress befitting the occasion.

In his own inimitable style, Fr. Paul Sequeira in his homily highlighted the fact that Casmir Menezes has been a gift to his children, who in spite of all his earlier difficulties including losing his wife within few years of his retirement, gave good education to his children and saw to it that they all settled well in their lives. He pointed out how Casmir attended daily mass and was the last but one to leave the church after the end of the mass spending some more time in quiet prayer. Fr. Paul also used quotations to emphasise the points that he wanted to make in relation to Casmir Menezes. He said that life is not a problem but an opportunity to live and Casmir has proved this. Every great person in the world has a song to sing and a story to write and the story of Casmir and his family has been a story of struggle and success. Fr. Paul further said, Casmir Menezes lived 75 years of his life meaningfully and fully dedicated to his children and family.

Following the end of the Mass and family pictures, the guests moved to the Parish Hall where a grand felicitation programme was arranged. The stage was beautifully done and the seating arrangement was orderly and compact. At around 12.30pm, Casmir Menezes entered the hall with his seamen friends followed by his family members. Charles Quadros excellently anchored the felicitation function.

The eldest daughter of Casmir Menezes, Pricilla and Wilfred welcomed the guests with emotion filled voices. Wilfred briefly narrated how his father had to leave for Mumbai at the young age of 12 years just after completing 4th standard and work at different places and in different capacities to earn a living till he joined the shipping company as seaman. He said that his father gave to all his children good education and a secured future. Even after the death of their mother in 2000, Wilfred said in emotion choked voice, that though their father was shattered, he soon picked up his life and never allowed his children to feel the absence of their mother.

Following the welcome by Pricilla and Wilfred, Fr. Joswey conducted the prayer service and the ceremonial cutting of the cake and sharing it with the family and seamen friends followed. Of course the champagne bottle was uncorked as a mark of joy and celebration. Joycey, the eldest granddaughter of Casmir Menezes expressed her feelings and pointed out how much all the grandchildren were attached to their grandfather who never scolded them and loved them deeply.

Fr. Baptist Paes (SVD) speaking on this occasion said that he came to know Casmir’s family when he was in Kirem and later became somewhat an integral part of the family and still continues to be a well-wisher and supporter of the family. He greatly appreciated the way Casmir Menezes had brought up his children.

A group of well-wishers of Casmir Menezes and his family presented a felicitation song on the occasion of the 75th birthday celebrations following which Casmir Menezes honoured his seamen friends by presenting them bouquets of flowers. Thereafter the children presented to their father the key of TVS scooter as a present on the occasion of his 75th birthday. There was also power point presentation of rare pictures of Casmir Menezes and family members.

Formal greeting and celebratory lunch followed simultaneously. Relatives, friends and well-wishers warmly greeted Casmir Menezes who by his life and dedication has become a role model to all senior citizens.