Obituary – Carlos (Carlito) Mascarenhas
In Loving Memory of
Carlos (Carlito) Mascarenhas
May 24, 1937 – July 16, 2024
It is with a sad heart and tear-filled eyes that we have to inform you, and all friends, that Edna’s brother, Carlito, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on the evening of July 16th, 2024. He went in for a shower, his wife heard a loud thud, went to check and found him face down on the ground, bleeding profusely, and he was gone! Speculation is a heart attack. The rest of the family, waiting for him to come after his shower to say their nightly rosary and prayers, were absolutely stunned and shocked! So were we, his siblings and our families!
Carlito was born in Entebbe, Uganda, on May 24, 1937 and had his schooling at St Paul’s in Belgaum. An avid sportsman, keen on body building while in school, he participated in hockey, cricket and soccer; and that stood him in good stead when, after graduation, he came back to Uganda and joined the Uganda Police Force. Through hard work and keen investigating skills, he quickly rose through the ranks. He also participated in boxing, hockey and cricket for the Police teams. He retired from the Uganda Police in the late 1960s and went to London, England.
Carlito was a great sportsman and made a major contribution to the Kampala Goan Institute . At hockey he played left half and was a hardworking and “clean” player — resulting in him being selected to represent Uganda in the East African championships in 1960
On the cricket field he excelled. Tall and well built he was an imposing figure with the bat and the ball. Often, he changed the fortunes of a game with a torrid bowling spell or a swashbuckling innings. Along the way he was part of numerous victories by the Uganda Goans in the annual intercommunal matches, occasionally as captain. His formidable play resulted in him representing Uganda on a number of occasions between 1958 and 1966, when he migrated. I would be remiss if I did not mention that he was highly respected by the Captains and the opposing teams because of his Sportsmanship!
On a rainy evening, you could find him in the KGI (Kampala Goan Institute) playing table tennis and or Pool. All in all, a fine all round sportsman! On the side he studied and obtained the UK ACIS (Associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries) qualification.
When he got to London, he quickly joined the Lusitanian hockey team and was a valuable member there for a few years, before emigrating to Vancouver, Canada. In Canada, he qualified as a Certified General Accountant (CGA) and was the Chief Accountant for the Vancouver Canucks Hockey Team for several years until he finally retired and decided to settle in Goa. He kept fit playing a lot of Squash, and was good at it!
His dream was to have a mini “Butchart Gardens” in the large backyard of the family home in Loutulim, the dream he fulfilled with a lot of thought, hard work, and financial outlay. And he enhanced it with a playground for the kids, an Aviary, two swimming pools and statues of “Christ the Redeemer”, “Mahatma Gandhi”, “Buddha” and a caricature of himself.
His was a life well lived, full of adventure and courage, fun and laughter and his generosity and offer to help those in need will be long remembered.
To his wife Merlyn, son Carl and daughters Gizelle, aged 12, and Crezann, aged 6, and siblings Edna (Al), late Ralph (Maria Alice), Merle (Willie) and Pascal (Leah) and their families, we offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences. May the many happy and fun filled memories he left behind, help to console them in their grief.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace.
