Mr. João Da Costa

Obituary

Toronto - Joao Da Costa was born April 8, 1926 in Sao Bartolomeu, Lourinha, Portugal. He was the last of three children born to Jose Francisco Da Costa and Maria Jose Da Conceicao Rebelo.  His sisters Jesus and Merces are both deceased,  also at a ripe old age. As a young man he attended school until grade 4 when he left and started his work life. He drove a team of oxen with his uncle and worked many long hours as a young man carting stones, crops and what ever was required. He had trained his oxen well and after a long day he'd fall asleep on the ride home and they'd take him right to his door and wait for him to unhitch them. Later he chose to become a stone mason, a position that paid better, and was to be his final career. He married Aurora Da Purificacao Marques also of Sao Bartolomeu.  Joao and Aurora were born one day apart and knew each other growing up.  When he went to see her father, Angelo Marques, and ask for his blessing that they marry he was led to the adega and offered a glass of wine. Joao was so nervous that he dropped the glass and spilled everything. Joao and Aurora shared a life centered around family and work. He would work full days on building sites and then return home to help tend the fields with his wife and the journeymen that they hired. They had three daughters. Maria Manuela Marques Da Costa, Guiomar Marques Da Costa, and Maria Do Carmo Marques Da Costa,  who were all born in Portugal and spent their early years there. Life was challenging and he looked to build a better future. He worked in France and it was there that he applied for his Canadian Immigration papers. He moved with his family to Toronto in 1968. The family settled into life in the Kensington Market area, where they found family, friends and a supportive Portuguese community. He immediately went to work and established himself as a hard worker. He worked for various bricklaying companies in Toronto, and eventually became a foreman. He proudly shared that he'd left several jobs but always for more money. He felt pride at doing a job well and was sought after. He would work weekends building garages  for people in the community as a way of earning extra money. Over time his daughters married and his home became the center of an expanded family. Weekends were a time for family to gather and share meals, play cards, travel to parks and picnic. Grandchildren entered the picture in the early 70s. At the time of his passing he had 6 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  After his retirement he spent his summers in Portugal with his wife, where they visit the beach and spend time with friends. Sadly, Aurora died at age 71 and he was left without his lifelong companion. They shared a very strong love connection because he died exactly 25 years later on the same day. May he Rest in Peace.

If desired, donations in memory of João may be made to Make-A-Wish Canada.

The Da Costa family kindly request anyone wishing to attend the visitation or service please wear a mask at all times.

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Entombment