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Manuel Peter Cardoz
May 13th, 1953 - September 20th, 2020
May 13th, 1953 - September 20th, 2020
Born to Isabella and Peter Cardoz, he lost his father very early at the age of 9. At that time, he found support in the form of Fatima Parish priests who helped him get a proper schooling. He understood the importance of education very early on. He was a voracious reader. He loved reading novels, Agatha Christie, Perry Mason and Federick Forsyth were a few of his favorite writers. Despite his frequent bouts of asthma, he did well in his P.D.Sc (13th std at that time) and secured an admission in the prestigious College of Engineering, Pune (CoEP). He stood 3rd in the merit list when graduating in Electrical Engineering in the year 1977. He was a good student, always wanting to understand the ‘why’ in addition to the ‘how’ of things. He credits his sister Clara, for all the hardships she underwent to make him an engineer.
He loved football. He was one of the founder members of the legendary Diamond Sports Club, today known as Diamond Sports Association, of which he was the President for many years. He was named captain of the Pune University team for 3 years and was twice called upon for India University selection trials. He however couldn’t make it, once due to an injury and on another occasion preferring to concentrate on his final year of engineering. He used his footballing skills to partly fund his engineering expenses. He played for a local club in Pune to earn some rupees as was he literally living hand to mouth.
Upon graduation, he joined Bharat Bijlee as a design engineer, moving on to MIDC, Siemens, later to Libya, then back to India with SBI and LIC. He was tipped to be the youngest Director during his tenure in LIC. As a Superintendent Engineer, he however chose to decline a promotion/transfer as he wanted to make sure his eldest son was well prepared for his 10th Std exams. He believed in himself and was a workaholic which made him take a leap of faith and started his own venture as an entrepreneur in the form of M.P.Cardoz and Associates in Lamington Road. From there, he converted the company to a Pvt Ltd firm in the form of Cutech Consulting Engineers Pvt. Ltd. Later on, he founded Cardoz Consulting Engineers which he was last associated with. He was an excellent engineer and technically was one of the best minds in the Industry. He was known especially for his work ethic and honesty. He wasn’t afraid to call a spade, a spade, and was ready to take any challenge head-on.
Going through poverty through his younger days, he was always involved in the church organizations to help the poor and the needy. He was the President of various support organization of the church like SVP, BLAM and WoGS. He was close to the Fatima parish priests over the years and helped whenever called upon.
He met the love of his life in Taciana in Assolna. We children remember him narrating the story: One Sunday mass, he spotted a beautiful young girl in Ambelim church and at that time he wished for her to be his wife. Little did he know that after the mass he would be visiting the very same girl’s house for an arranged marriage proposal. It was an arranged love marriage. He always said, “My wife is my life”. They were blessed with 3 sons, Fritz. Forsyth and Franz. He was a very supportive, caring and loving father. He always took care of all their problems with grace. He used to tell us: “Baap ka maal, laga ghaslet” and all our worries were gone. His life was later in his grandson, Enrique, whom he used to affectionately call him “chullu”. His day used to be complete only after seeing his face.
He loved listening to old bollywood songs. He used to play the mouth organ, teaching himself to play it without formally learning how to. He was a golden oldie.
He was a source of motivation for all his family members. He was a counsellor, a role model and life support, not only to his family but for many others too. He was always punctual, organized and always hungry for knowledge. He was excellent in whatever he did, be it football, Table tennis, carrom, cards, marbles, engineering or even society laws. He was an intellectual and was always well researched and know to excel in tough situations.
He has left us an everlasting legacy which we will always be proud of. Today when we think of him a smile comes across our face knowing that we had an amazing person as a husband and a father.
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Tributes
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David
Love you mam, we will be always grateful to you forever
Farrokh Billimoria
I was a classmate of Manual at COEP from 1973-77. I was so sorry to hear that he passed away. My sincere condolences to you, the kids, and grandkids I have so many fond memories of him from our college days, and I thought I would share some of those with you. Everyone in college, even today, knows him as a star football player (and very modest), most do not realize how kind a gentleman he was back then. He and I shared engineering lockers together. We did our work sometimes at different times, but he (and I) always made sure the other person’s work was never messed up (like engineering drawings etc.) and put it back exactly as we had left it. He was always respectful and accommodating. He and I also studied together in the hostel, l and many a time he would calm me down when I thought I did not understand something and he would patiently teach me!! Finally, the best memory I have was one in the boat club tea chop. I did not have money for a cup of tea. He didn’t say anything, but carefully poured his cup into the saucer and gave me a half the cup. That kindness is still fresh in my memory and we eventually did that alternatively where each shared their cup of tea! And on so many occasions he would take me to the hostel canteen for a meal. I remember the day he was made captain of the university team. We both had smiles on our faces! On my last trip to India he was going to drive up to Pune to meet me for dinner at 9 p.m. (and then drive back late). He called to say that he could only get in at 11 pm for 30 mins, so we cancelled. We were so excited to see each other after all the years. Again my heartfelt condolence to you and the family. May happy memories of time spent together comfort you.
Kalyan N
I and Meena were totally shocked to hear the news of the sudden death of Manuel. He was a wonderful person, a kind human being and an intelligent business man. I will like to share some instances from our lives: 1) I still recall vividly my first meeting with him.My dad and I after securing my admission in COEP Pune went to look at the private hostel where we had booked a 'cot' as it was called those days for me. Manuel was the first person we met even before we met the landlord and then I came to know that Manuel will be my room partner. We were room partners for two years. After a lot of struggle and follow up, Manuel could get accomodation in the college hostel due to his football excellence. 2) As I came to know him more, I realised he was so good at football(I used to see him practise and also see matches where he played) and I learnt and started following football only after this. He got our college and the university a good name in football. 3) I improved my table tennis and carrom by playing with him at every available opportunity. He used to always taunt me by saying" mai tumahare saat nahi kheloonhga, mera game bigad raha hia, mujhe koi acche player ke saath kehlna chahiye"-meaning I don't want want to play with you as my game is getting spoilt and I can only improve if I play with a better player than you'. The meaning of this statement was fully understood me after several years. 3) I think I was the only college friend(may be true) invited to his wedding in Goa. I reached the place and found I was the only vegetarian guy among the whole crowd. He went out of his way to personally take care of me inspite of being the most important guy on that date. I still remember the large quantity of beers kept in big tubs in the house and people were consuming it like what-more than water.I had a few too.It was avery great adventure for me. 3) In between we lost contact with each other for a few years. That was because I misplaced his phone number and had no way of reaching out to him. In one of my overseas trip from my company, I was dining in a restaurant where I met another Indian.We got talking and it so happened this person was from Ambarnath too. I asked him-do you know Manuel cardoz?' He said, not only does he know him but also both were from the same school.He shared Manuel's phone number with me and we became connected again. 5)We used to meet and talk quite often when he was working in LIC and SBI and I was in Nariman Point too. He never liked working in these places due to the heavy corruption that had set in these places. It is really great that he could start his own business and was doing quite well in it. 5) I knew his mother, and sisters very well and they always had a good word for me and always enquired about me. 6) He sent me a picture recently.I asked him to send a better print of the same,which he promised to do so.I had reminded him too.Now I will treasure this picture.It is from his silver jubilee celeberations. I sincerely pray to the Lord to give Taciana, his mother, sisters and all the three of you all the strength to bear this loss.
Oliver Pinto
Quite the man for all seasons and times. An inspiration to me and so many like me. He was good at so many things and so balanced. I learnt so much from him.
Sherie Ferrao
We miss you Uncle. I feel so privileged that I got to meet such a fun loving, intelligent and witty person. The few times I’ve visited him and his family in Ambernath and Goa were truly memorable. He would always take us to play sports table tennis carrom and defeat us all. He had so many stories to tell each one of us, right from his college days. He encouraged each one of us to do better at studies and at work. I remember all those puzzles and riddles he would ask us, just to get our minds working. He was full of life and ever so helpful. We miss you Uncle. Truly a very inspiring person.
Louella Barrow
The news of Manuel's death gave us the shock of our lives. He has gone too soon and will be sorely missed. We will always remember him as a kindhearted man who always went out of his way to make us feel like family - I will always be grateful to him. Although healing from a loss of this magnitude is difficult, I hope and pray that his family find solace in knowing that he is with our Father in heaven and will continue to protect them. Rest in peace Manuel, you are with the angels now.
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