1941 - 2013

Mr. Xavier Almeida.....'A Man For All Seasons'

We are all truly very saddened by Xavier's passing, but inescapably we must celebrate his illustrious life with great love and warmth....and indeed with also a great measure of happiness, because after all, as so many of you have mentioned, he was 'one of us.' And yes, he, in many ways belonged to us, and we believe he would not want us to be sad, especially given his vivacious and jovial disposition. As many will perhaps remember, Xavier was nicknamed "Bumblebee" by his peers, but this affectionate sobriquet over time morphed simply into "Bumble." Its origin remains an enigma!

Xavier graduated through the Dr. Ribeiro Goan School,Nairobi, in the late fifties, and after a varied career, returned to his Alma Mater as a Primary School teacher where his boyish charm and infectious grin immediately endeared him to his students and fellow staff members alike. He clearly distinguished himself because, not long after, Dr. Neves Pereira, the then Headmaster, called on him to be part of the Secondary School teaching staff. This was a significant accolade that recognized great potential, and in turn Xavier rose to the challenge and excelled. His students in turn were impressed and inspired by his people skills and his progressive approach to academia.

His Secondary School teaching career was very wide in scope, and covered such diverse areas that stretched from Form IV Health Science to Physical Education at all levels, interspersed with a broad array of administrative duties. Also noteworthy were his organizational skills and unique ability to make things happen with almost clockwork accuracy, be it a sports meet or a school concert in which he was frequently prominently featured.

A. Bumble and The Stingers rocking away !

(L to R: Gilbert Fernandes, Henry Braganza, Levit Pereira & Xavier Almeida)

Outside of all of this, his good looks and affable personality made him something of a ladies man, and his exceptional 'show biz' talents did not exactly hurt his case! Unquestionably his 'rockin rendition of Elvis Presley's "Teddy Bear" made him something of a star, and presented awkward angst for the other 'regular' entertainment impresarios of the time! Jesting of course, but it does underline his musical talent.

Yours truly regaling his adoring audience with his version of "Running Bear".

Afra, Fatima and Angela add glamour, and finishing touches to the performance!

Xavier was very much on the level and related to students in a way that made them feel comfortable to be around him. In fact no picnic or any other kind of social gathering could possibly be planned without his inclusion. Often he was the life and soul of these social activities.

In recent years he was domiciled in Australia, and by all accounts enjoyed a very happy life and productive second career.

As we bid Xavier a fond adieu, let us be mindful and thankful for the contribution he made to the success of our lives, and resolve to be a credit to his tutelage.

Let us also remember his wife Arlinda, children Vanessa and Aaron, grandchildren Maya, Jasmine, Kobe and Havana and siblings Tony, Rosita and Joyce and thank them for sharing their beloved Xavier with us.

May his soul rest in peace.

Class of '64 and '65

Xavier Almeida (Bumble)

I was introduced to Xavier when he was a teacher in Dr. Ribeiro Goan Primary School way back in 1962. After I left Africa, I lost all contact with him but managed to revive our friendship when Xavier and his family moved to Adelaide, Australia. In 1996 when Lynette and I visited Adelaide, Xavier and Arlinda met us and took us to the Barossa Valley vineyards and then to lunch at one of the wine outlets. Needless to say we celebrated our reunion in high spirits that day! Later, Xavier and Arlinda visited us in Hamilton, New Zealand, and for a short time we kept in touch by phone.

We lost contact for a few years and I tried to find out from friends whether they had heard from him but none of them had. I was saddened to hear that Xavier had left this world. Lynette and I will miss joining Xavier and Arlinda for another happy reminiscent encounter.

Xavier was a successful teacher with his friendly approach and charm. He was in the process of publishing his Maths tutorial programme for enhancing learning which could be downloaded to a computer.

Xavier will be missed by all who knew him. In Nairobi he was known as an inspiring teacher. He took over the teaching of science and chemistry for a full academic year during my absence on study leave.

Xavier had a great thespian approach to deliver his lessons, a teacher with a great voice and diction. He was a delightful singer and impersonator with aplomb. If the pupils were not familiar with Elvis Presley and Jim Reeves, they would have known them after his science lessons.

Xavier, you were truly great and awesome.

Cino Pires

Former DRGS teacher (1961-1967)

Hamilton

New Zealand

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