Roque (commonly known as Rocky) Barreto embodies the East African Goan community who immigrated here in the later mid 20th century. Sports, community bonding, family and hard work exemplified the traits of these early Goans who came to Canada.

Rocky was one of the founding Goans of the Toronto Goan Overseas Association who put up early struggles and sacrifices to make the Association what it is today.

Rocky still continues to volunteer his skills and work with other organizations. Although knowing him from early on, my respect grew when I was on one year’s Social Committee of the Salcette Association whose fortunes Rocky directed (and may still be supervising) for decades.

There are others like Rocky who have done equally pioneering work and my wish list includes watching interviews with those others who set up markers for Goans to follow.

Roland Francis (Toronto)