Obituary
José Rita Obituary
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of José de Assunção Rita, loving and devoted father, grandfather and friend to those whose lives he touched, on March 3, 2021 at the age of 85.
After several months of declining health, José died peacefully surrounded by his family at his bedside at Hospice Wellington in Guelph. Loving husband to the late Cecilia Rita (Baranito), José cherished every moment with his daughter Raquel Bowes (Rita), son-in-law Brent Bowes, and grandson Ryan Joseph Bowes.
Born in Aljustrel, Baixo-Alentejo, Portugal on November 1, 1935 to Antonio Dos Santos Rita and Clarice da Consolação Rita, José was truly an amazing, hard-working man who loved life. He enjoyed renovating, cooking, dancing and watching soccer. He was always the first one on the dance floor at parties. Rain or shine he would walk to the local sports bar to watch Sporting soccer games. He had a passion for hunting both here and in Portugal. He would take every opportunity to spend time with his friends to partake in this sport.
José was the most compassionate, dedicated and hard-working person you could find. His strength to face adversity and his love for his family was admirable. The oldest male in the family, José did not have the opportunity for a formal education. At a very young age he shadowed a local carpenter and learned the art of cabinetry. His work ethic and desire to take care of his family led him to immigrate to Canada in the early 60’s. He arrived on a Friday and started working the following Monday and did not stop until he retired at the age of 60. He took great pride in pointing out the condos on Lakeshore Avenue that he did cabinetry work in. A master with his hands, José took pride in everything he built. The last conversation he had was with his grandson two days before he died where he asked him to buy four 2 by 4’s and paint because he wanted to renovate his hospital room.
He struggled with diabetes for decades and most recently with colon cancer and Alzheimer’s, which ultimately took over his life with a vengeance.
Although we are grieving and miss him terribly; we take comfort in knowing his pain has come to an end. Now in heaven, his legacy of strength, kindness and his passion for carpentry will not be forgotten by those he left behind.
We rejoice that he is sitting at the feet of Jesus; and by the promises of his Lord and Saviour, his body has been made anew.
Visitation
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 a charity of your choice in memory of your loved one or by sending flowers to the funeral home.
