THOMAS
ANTHONY D’SOUZA
Time
cannot change our friendship old
Harbouring
memories dear and links of Gold
Only
those who cared despite everything
Manage to hold their heads and
silently sing
A
praise to a person who was once full of zest
Sleep
in peace gaining eternal rest
As
tears roll down my lonely face
Nostalgia
fills the empty space
Three
children you had not with you though
Heaven
only knows how you missed then so
Often,
I visualised this day with sadness
Now
you are with Mai and Papa, grieving is pointless
You
have left behind many talents so priceless
Words by your devoted friend Grace Coutinho 11.05.10
Tom was found dead in his London flat on April 19, 2010
So many people knew Tom and held him in high esteem so
anyone can come forward and say a few words.
I am no good at speaking and would not remember all I have
to say so I have summoned what I know of
Tom in the Missalette (along with his photograph and my poem in his memory).
The saying is that “The Dead are always good.” This was true of everyone
including Tom, although no everyone will agree. He was a good man but he let
his problem get the better of him. We cannot judge him because we will never
know how hard a struggle it must have been –he had a problem – which very few
of us understood and the norm would be to “leave him till he hits rock bottom
and he will pick himself up if he wants to.
Those who knew Tom will realise that there was no rock
bottom for Tom. He used to give up alcohol many times but failed. I knew that
once I gave up looking after him, he would eventually die … sometimes there is
only so much one can do. I tried my level best for over 21 years until my son
grew up I could cope no more and left him in the hands of the Good Lord who
eventually said “come my son you have suffered enough in this world and now you
can rest in peace with your late parents and in the company of angels and
saints – thus Tom was cleansed and went to the Lord and is now praying for all
of us – this he did – he always prayed for each and everyone.
His love and skills of football were so amazing, as you all
know, he was the founder of the Crusaders Football Club in Nairobi and played
for Nairobi Heroes, Goa and Kenya. He was also good snooker player.
This Requiem Mass is offered for the repose of his soul
because so many people rang me to ask about Tom and I knew that they would like
to pay their last respects this human being who had an illness that very few
understood and not many could comprehend why I helped him so much despite
having my own family but I knew Tom way back in Kenya – always a dear friend
who considered my a sister he never had. There is so much more I could say but
I think my poem says it all.
I will always remember the good times, Skip! Rest in Everlasting Peace, my friend.
Comments