Death occurred of Mr. Leandro de Mello of Camarcazana, Mapuca, at his residence on 14th August 1948, after a prolonged illness at the age of 71 years. His death removes an important and popular figure from among emigrants of Africa. His funeral was largely attended and the funeral orations were well deserved tributes to his work and personality.
After Matriculating from St. Xavier's High School, Bombay, Mr. de Mello came to East Africa in 1898. He was soon drafted into the Provincial Administration in Nairobi where by dint of hard work and abilities he rose to be one of the officials in the administration while at the same time he made himself conspicuous by his public activities outside.
Mr. Leandro de Mello was always in the forefront of the social and political activities of the Goan Community in Nairobi. Most of the great movements of Goans in the capital of Kenya Colony were initiated under his able leadership. He was an effective speaker and a sympathetic exponent of the feeling of Goans.
In 1906, owing to the lack of a common roof under which Goans could gather together, a vigorous movement was made to harness the resources of Goans and to build a hall adequate enough for the social needs of the increasing Goan community. Response to this movement was most encouraging.
In this movement, the late Mr. de Mello's contribution was remarkable both in leadership and guidance. This institution....The Goan Institute....had its foundation in June 1905 under his Presidentship and for a long time he was its President, always guiding its destinies with his tempered judgment. With his winsome manners, patience and tact he was always successful in securing harmony and goodwill in all deliberations of the members of the Institute. As President of the Goans Institute, it was his privilege to attend, on numerous occasions, levies at the Government House. Gifted with fine qualities of head and heart, he had endeared himself as a trusted leader and amiable friend to all Goans. His sympathies manifested in helping his friends.
He played a prominent part in promoting the welfare of the civil service. During the first World War, the Asiatic Civil Service was constantly in difficulties. The crisis was deepened when it was proposed to effect a ruthless cut of 1/6 in the salaries. The move was bitterly opposed by the Asiatic officials. The late Mr. de Mello wisely advised the officials so affected to be patient until their cause was fully vindicated. With his guidance, many representations were duly made and interviews with high officials of the Government were undertaken. Eventually the crisis was overcome to the immense relief of the Asiatic officials. Many improvements were effected in the service as the result of the constant representations made. The late Mr. de Mello was largely responsible for the success of all the movements initiated by the Asiatic Civil Service Association of which he was the Founder President. In view of the his meritorious service the late Mr. de Mello was honored for his contributions at the time of his retirement. A handsome casket containing an address listing his services and numerous achievements in social and political activities was presented to him. He retired on pension after a service of 25 years in the Provincial Administration of the Government of Kenya Colony.
No sooner had he arrived in Goa than he found ample scope for his public spirited work. He became an Honorarv Treasurer of the "Asilo and Milagres Hospital", Mapuca, and made it his special care and labour of love. In this capacity, he worked for a period of 22 years with rare integrity and remarkable zeal. His assistance during the construction of the Milagres Hospital was noteworthy. He was, in fact, the actual "builder" in the sense that he removed many obstructions and attended to minute details of construction and equipment of the hospital. With the completion of the majestic building of the hospital he devoted his energies to put the finances of the Hospital on a sound basis. His vigorous appeal to the Income Tax Department was successful in securing a refund of Income Tax from the "Asilo" investment in Government Securities. His interest in the Milagres Hospital was so great that he was destined to be its inmate during his last illness.
Despite his intense interest in the work of the Asilo and Milagres Hospital he found time for civic duties as a Councillor of the Camara Municipal of Bardez. He served the Municipality for a period of about 10 years and was for some time its Acting President.
The late Mr. de Mello devoted close attention to the problems of the emigrants. During the last World War, the problems of exchange and food shortage were dealt with under his leadership. Lest the emigrants stagnate in isolation in the villages in Goa, he arranged for constant conferences among them, which culminated in the establishment of the Emgirants' Cooperative Stores, Mapuca. He was its first Chairman. The Stores will constitute a memorial to his courage, spirit of enterprise and tenacity of purpose.
His life was devoted to the service of the common man. He created a fine tradition of public service. Shall we take a lesson from his life and putting our shoulders to the wheel work for the progress of Goa and the Goans?