Obituary
Avelino Dias Portela de Magalhães was born in Barreiros, Amares, Portugal on March 5, 1935. He was a fun-loving and mischievous gentleman and often regaled us with tales of his pranks. He immigrated to Pau, France when he was only 22 years old, after completing military service. He married his wife, Celeste on September 8, 1962. Avelino and Celeste shared a very happy life together, moving to Canada in 1968, along with their two children, Jorge and Paula. They were devoted to each other, to their family and to the Catholic church. They enjoyed spending summers in Portugal, in the company of their extended family.
Avelino was a painter by trade, and his meticulous attention to detail meant that he was always sought after by employers. He was very committed to the Portuguese community in Toronto and was a founding member and president of the Toronto Cultural Association of Minho. Family was of greatest importance to Avelino, and he was a loving grandfather, father and husband. He cared for his wife, Celeste, during her long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, to which she succumbed on October 2, 2020.
On January 21, 2021, Avelino passed away surrounded by the family he so loved. He will be deeply missed by his devoted children, Paula and Jorge. He will be mourned by his son-in-law, Anthony, his daughter-in-law, Tonita, and extended family in Portugal including his sister, Sister Maria do Ceu. Avelino was predeceased by his sister Rosa Maria, and brothers Acácio, and Manuel. Avelino will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Jacob, Lucas, Emma and Gabriel. He was an example to them of hard work, faith and devotion to family.
Chubby, we love you and we will miss you very much. We take comfort in the knowing that you have gone to be with your beloved Ciça. May the Lord keep you both in His loving embrace.
Due to the current pandemic restrictions and under direction from our regulator, the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, effective November 23, 2020 all funerals and visitations will be by invitation only to limit the number of people in attendance and prevent the spread of COVID-19. We encourage those that are unable to attend in person to express their sympathy by posting a message of condolence to our website, donating to Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice in memory of your loved one or by sending flowers to the funeral home.
Guests are welcome to virtually attend the visitation period on Monday, January 25, 2021 from 4-6 p.m. Please join at https://youtu.be/q4uKOZzHQpM during these hours.
