Mr. Jose “Joe” Arruda

Jose “Joe” Arruda Eulogy - Written by Ana Hall Thank you friends and family members for coming and showing your support for my father, Joe Arruda. Yes we mourn his passing, but we should also celebrate his life. He had a good life up to 93. I saw him near death many times. I would say he is like a cat with nine lives. But at the end, pneumonia won the battle. He could not fight anymore. His catholic religion played a big part on how he lived life. He was apart of the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit. And for as long as he could, he would travel within the GTA and to near by cities to attends feasts at their Portuguese churches. He would listening to the marching bands for hours. When he was a small boy, he started playing in the marching band in his home town of Ribeirinha until he came to Canada. When he was single, he was willing to go work in Northern Ontario, which meant he took that big leap of leaving Portugal and moving to Canada. He worked a couple of years before settling down with my mother. They got married by proxy in 1958 which then my mom joined him to start their adventures together. They lived in a little silver trailer so that they could move around wherever there was work, such as Elliot Lake and North Bay, which makes my brother and I trailer park babies. He then moved to Toronto where he had lived ever since. He got a job in construction, which I believe is where he might have gotten the nickname “Shortie” from. He then started at Kruger Pulp and Paper. Where he would bring cardboard home and ask us if we could make a box out of it. It was a puzzle, but he always had the biggest smile when we did it. My uncle Bernie always says my dad was a smart man. When they worked in the family farm in Sao Miguel, he would always come up with ways to make the job easier. He was also very innovative, his contraptions for Christmas trees was different every year. When my parents bought the cottage, he was so trilled to go. He would pack the car up to the T and off my parents would go. He enjoyed his fruit trees and gardening, but his favourite pass time would be socializing with his friends, napping or watching the Toronto Maple Leafs (whether they were winning or not). My dad helped many people, with giving them a place to stay when they came to Canada, finding them jobs or just driving them around somewhere. He took joy in being helpful. His friends and family were always welcomed in my parent’s house, and of course if you were a wine drinker you would have a glass or more of his home made wine. As he got older, it was difficult for him to do things, but Maria was always by his side. We are saddened by his death, but at the same time we should be celebrating his long adventurous life. He is now with God and maybe enjoying a glass of wine with his other family and friends that went before him. As we would always say to him before going to bed, and the final time as he takes his final rest… Boa Noite, Ate Amanha, Se Deus Quiser. Which means - good night, until tomorrow, if God willing. We miss you. We love you. 🤍

I'm sorry that we cannot be there but please know we are thinking of you all. Our sincere condolences for your loss.

To Deb, Tony and all of your family. Sending our deepest condolences to you.

May the many cherished memories of your Dad bring you comfort in this time of sorrow. Our condolences to you and your family.

My deepest condolences to your family.

Sending my prayers, love and condolences to your wonderful family.