4 January 1936 – 2 November 2019

Renato Titus Monteiro passed away peacefully in Canberra. Beloved husband of Edna. Much loved father of Malcom and Julian. Proud grandfather of Gabriel, Eloise, Marcus and Luca.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass to be offered for Renato to be held at St Anthony's of Padua Catholic Church, Sternberg Crescent Wanniassa ACT on Saturday, November 9 commencing at 11:15 am. Followed by committal at Norwood Park Crematorium, Sandford Street, Mitchell ACT

Condolences: manda.monteiro@bigpond.com

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Renato was born in Nairobi, Kenya, attending the Dr Ribeiro Goan school. A keen sportsman, he represented the school in many sports at the highest level and played hockey in the first XI for the Goan Institute (G.I.) when that team was at the top of its form! He captained the G.I. team for many years and was the only player to be part of the winning teams in both 1952 and 1961. Renato was also a key member of the Kenyan Goans hockey team who won all the major hockey tournaments in East Africa in one season, alongside other hockey greats including Alu Mendonca and Cajie Fernandes. He loved the Social Club life in Kenya; this continued throughout his life with some great stories from his days in both Nairobi and Canberra to be told at another time.

His working life began as a sales representative for Ahmed Brothers, a stylish gentlemen’s outfitters in the centre of Nairobi. He later trained as a butcher and worked in the family business in Hurlingham where his father (Caetano) owned the Petrol Service Station and meat supply business (Booths Butchery). In difficult economic times, many Goans would receive free meat from Booths! He loved customer service and would end his professional career in Kenya in sales firstly for City Brewery and then Coca-Cola where he spent the last 15 years with many great friends. These included his good mate soccer legend Joe Kadenge and IOC representative Charles Muchora.

Renato was well-loved by many in Kenya, because he was passionate about multi-racial friendships. This was before the 1963 independence of Kenya, when this was frowned upon by the existing British Government. Renato had many friends from different communities around the country who were attracted to his charismatic personality and incredibly loyal friendship. These bonds remained strong with many friends across the world and who remain steadfast throughout his life.

Always generous in spirit, Renato helped many Goans resettle after the Asian expulsion from Uganda by Idi Amin in 1972, and again in 1974 when Malawi expelled its Goan population. He opened his home in Hurlingham, Nairobi, to many Goan refugees, enabling them to transition through Nairobi before they settled in either Canada or the UK. These Goan families still remember the help their parents received in this transition at the most difficult time.

Renato moved to Australia in 1983 with his wife Edna and two sons Malcolm and Julian. He settled in Canberra where he remained for 37 years until his death. He was incredibly proud of his sons and of his four grandchildren, Gabriel, Eloise, Marcus and Luca, because he saw in them the family values that he embodied. He had looked after his parents well into their old age in both Kenya and Goa. Family was ultimately everything to him and he knew the grand kids understood what he was all about!