Mr. João Raposo De Melo

Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of João Raposo De Melo on November 10, 2026, at the age of 101.  

Born in Capelas, São Miguel, Azores, on June 3, 1925, João immigrated to Canada in 1959, first finding work on a tobacco farm in Delhi, Ontario. Two years later, in the autumn of 1961, he was reunited with his wife, Maria, and their three sons. To provide for his family, he took on various jobs before securing a position as a spray painter at Diebold of Canada Ltd., where he worked until the company relocated in 1977. He then joined McGregor Socks, finishing out his career there before retiring at the age of 65.

João had many passions, finding great joy in gardening, wine making, reciting limericks, and playing the harmonica.  A true tinkerer at heart, he loved inventing his own creations and modifying household devices, often much to his wife’s dismay.He had a special talent for building windmills out of collected, recycled parts, gifting them to many family members who still display them proudly in their backyards. He was a devoted hockey fan who never missed a chance to passionately cheer on his favourite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Husband of Maria De Melo.  Father of John (Lidia), José, Antonio (Connie), and Lumenia (Carlos).  Grandfather of Joey, Michael (Ivana), Christine (Doug), Jason (Bonny), Melissa (Robert), Amanda, Victoria (Nicholas), and Laurie.  Great grandfather of Makenzie, Aubrie, Marlowe, TJ, Ethan, Lincoln, and Maya.  

He will be missed by his sister, Clotilde Disidoro; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and his many nieces and nephews.  João is predeceased by his parents, João and Clotilde De Melo; brothers, José De Melo, Francisco De Melo, Gabriel De Melo, and Antonio De Melo; and sisters, Maria Rodrigues, Rosa Da Costa, Dorotea Tavares, Conceição Da Costa, and Maria José Baptista.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff and caregivers at Maynard Nursing Home for their compassionate care and support, with special appreciation to Lou for treating him with exceptional kindness and caring for him as if he were a family member.

 

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 20th, from 2 to 4 pmand 6 to 8 pm, at Cardinal Funeral Homes, located at 366 Bathurst Street, Toronto.

Funeral service will take place on Saturday, November 21st, at 10 am, at St. Mary’s Parish, located at 588 Adelaide Street West, Toronto.

Interment will follow at York Cemetery, located at 160 Beecroft Road, North York.

Reception to be held at Crowne Plaza – North York, located at 900 York Mills Road, North York.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

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