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Eulogy
Read by Elizabeth (Lizzie)
Costa-Bir
Angelo’s life
was made up of a million miracles
Antonio
Angelo Costa-Bir was born in Goa in 1938 and travelled to Kenya with his
parents and elder brother, my father James in 1941 by ship. He studied at the
White Sisters Convent in Mangu which is now known as the Mangu High School. His
secondary education was at Dr Ribeiro’s High School.
At a very
young age, he took on holiday jobs to help his parents raise his siblings. His
first job was at Donholm Farm which is now Donholm Estate. This is where his passion
for farming and Agriculture started. The Watson family sponsored him to study
at Egerton University where he qualified in Agriculture and Veterinary Science.
He continued working for the Watsons, helping rearing beef and dairy cattle. He
took great pride in showing them at The Agricultural Show of Kenya. He even had
a pet pig, ostrich, vervet monkey, dik-dik and a variety of snakes.
In 1964, he
was offered a job as manager of Kabuku Farm/Ithangi Estate Tigoni belonging to
Major and Mrs Buxton. He started by clearing the forest in order to plant
pyrethrum. He introduced dairy cattle, building a herd of more than 800 head.
He then went on to develop a piggery which held over 3000 pigs. The farm had
over 100 horses and Shetland ponies. The farm would be recognised as one of the
best in Central Province, hosting veterinary and agricultural students from
various parts of the world.
A family man,
Angelo married his soul mate Teresa in 1969 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in
Limuru. They went on to have three children: Natasha, Heathcliff and Nadya,
whom he was thoroughly proud of. His legacy will live on through them.
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In 1986,
unfortunately, his farming career ended and he moved to Nairobi where he
changed his profession to building executive homes. After a few years, the
stress took its toll and he suffered a heart attack and had to travel to India
to have open heart surgery where he was given 10 to 15 years of life but he outdid
it and lived for 32 years.
In 1997, he
was hospitalized again having suffered another heart attack, and arrangements
were made to travel back to India. However, three days before he was due to
travel, Pastors prayed over him and he received total healing from Jesus. He
experienced God’s hand of protection at all times in his life. He never feared
man, but he feared God.
This is when
he dedicated his life to doing God’s work. He was instrumental in building the
ICC West Campus acquiring 15 acres of land for the Imraa ICC Church. He helped build
an orphanage for street boys in Kitengela and in Garden Estate.
When Angelo
retired from his church projects, he retired to his home in Rosslyn where he
planted avocados, bananas, mangoes and guava trees and took up beekeeping. He
went on to add a vegetable shamba during the Covid pandemic and the produce was
shared amongst family, friends, staff and those in need.
Many of you
will know Angelo was skilled in so many different areas, and up to his last day
he was repairing the lawn mower and other machinery. He was multi-lingual,
speaking English, Kikuyu, Kamba, Masai, Kiswahili, Konkani and a little Portuguese.
His hobbies included fishing, hunting, outdoor life, barbeques, safaris, in
fact, he had already planned a safari to the Masai Mara next month to celebrate
his 85th birthday. There are so many examples and stories to tell
but time does not permit today.
Angelo was a
dedicated Son, Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Godfather, Cousin, Friend and
Mentor. We will all miss him dearly.
Eternal rest grant
unto Angelo, O Lord, and perpetual light shine upon him.
May you rest
with the Angels, until we meet again.
July 8, 2023
Family tribute: Teresa (Toots), Natasha, Heathcliff, Nadya
Jealous of the Angel ... sung by Donna Tagart
I didn't know today would be our last
Or that I would have to say goodbye to you so fast
I'm so numb, I can't feel anymore
Prayin' you'd just walk back through that door
And tell me that I was only dreamin'
You're not really gone as long as I believe
There will be another angel
Around the throne tonight
Your love lives on inside of me
And I will hold on tight
It's not my place to question
Only God knows why
I'm jealous of the angels
Around the throne tonight
You always made my troubles feel so small
And you were always there to catch me when I'd fall
In a world where heroes come and go
Well God just took the only one I know
So I'll hold you as close as I can
Longing for the day: when I see your face again
But until then
God must need another angel
Around the throne tonight
Your love lives on inside of me
And I will hold on tight
It's not my place to question
Only God knows why
I'm just jealous of the angels
Around the throne tonight
Singin' hallelujah
Halellelujah
I'm just jealous of the angels
Around the throne tonight.
Messages to: casaquieto@gmail.com
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