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| Photo of Felix at his home. |
- Brian Mendonca
The lilies linger,
their fragrance in the room
The Champa wilts,
in the noon-day sun.
It poured when you died
bringing respite to the earth,
and to you, at last
from pain and suffering.
To kiss the earth so soon
was never your destiny
But the Lord willed it so.
You were worthy to be called.
Who else but you
To serve at His table
Where you'd blend in the background
Like you always do.
Scion of Pune
Maratha Samrat
Pitla bhakri
Our go-to man.
Favourite of kids
Godpa to our son
Your journey ended
Soon after it had begun.
The Feast
of the Good Shepherd
There is nothing
I shall want.
'Change hands?'
ask the coffin-bearers
as they carry you
to your grave.
Dressed to a tee
It was always 'others before me.'
Cruising on your Activa
with goodies for the family.
That impish smile
The eyes full of love
Surely you were a dove
descended from above.
Rise this Easter
for your just reward
The souls of the virtuous
are in the hands of the Lord.
(11 May 2025
Pune)
__________________
Felix Mendonca (1965-2025) passed away in the early hours of Friday, 9 May 2025. Photo taken by Brian Mendonca on Sunday, 11 May 2025 - the day of the funeral. In photo, Alex George Mendonca (left), Josephine Mendonca (centre), and Felix Mendonca (right). Updated 14/5/25.
Notes
-Lily: A flower traditionally used at funerals. Their sweet smell and large blooms signify the soul of the departed returning to a state of peace; name of a friend of the family.
-Champa: sweet-scented flower found in India, found on the patio of Felix, Vanessa and Maegan's home.
-Poured: Pune was drenched in heavy showers of rain on Friday, 9th May 2025.
-Maratha Samrat: A restaurant serving Maharashtrian food to which Felix and Vanessa took us.
-Pitla bhakri: traditional Maharashtrian food which Felix liked.
-Godpa: Affectionate term for 'godfather.'
-Feast: The feast of the Good Shepherd is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Easter, i.e. 11 May. This year, the new pope, Pope Leo XIV, celebrated his first Sunday Mass on 11 May as the Bishop of Rome.
-There is nothing: From Psalm 23.
-The souls of the virtuous: From the Book of Wisdom 3: 1-9. The first reading for the Funeral Mass for Felix Mendonca on 11/5/25.
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