Artur Mendonca

Artur Mendonça




To know him is to love him

I'm of course talking about my incredible father, Artur Mendonça

If you were to ask my poppy, as I like to call him

how he was doing, his reply would be "not too bad for a young fella"

that's my pops, so adorable.


He was such a sweet man. Kind and gentle natured.

Compassionate, very handsome, charming and oh so funny.

A loving husband, father and grand father

My sisters Brenda, Lucinda, Frances, our late brother Joaquim and I were so Blessed to have him and my wonderful late mother, Fernanda as our parents.

Everyone adored him. He was so generous. My father made quite an impression on little children. He loved his grand children Sean, Natasha, Cortney and Candace as well as his great grand children Joaquim, Sienna, Eli, Levi and Jaime. He would have been elated with the birth of Candace's little bundle of joy that is expected in late May. When he was around them he would dig into his pockets and hand out coins or dollar bills for no reason.

Even when I'd take him out grocery shopping he'd pull out some coins and give them to children he didn't know. I'd have to explain to the parents that it came from a place of love. That was my poppy.




I'd like to express my appreciation to my family and friends for their support, especially when his care became quite challenging.

I must acknowledge the incredible group of women who helped so much.

It would have been impossible without you.

Spectrum, St. Elizabeth, CCAC, Wise Elephant and Heart House.

The nurses and personal support workers...Esther, Virginia, Miranda, Akosua, Shakira, Jennifer, Perpetual, Heather and Sandra, just to name a few.

You were all so kind, patient and understanding. thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

My poppy had a charming way with these lovely ladies. Always respectful and complimentary. He'd say "you beautiful" and "you nice lady"...they got such a kick out of him. I'm know they adored him, how could you not.


He loved the "carim" which is what he called my little Mini Cooper.

This summer wasn't just beautiful because of the weather, it was extra special because of all the time we spent together driving around with the top down and the hot solim, the sun, beaming on us. Priceless memories.

That made him so happy.

Sometimes he liked to tell me that he bought the engine for the car at the Flea Market, which was not true. I always just went with it. That was the early staged of Alzeimers talking.

Speaking of motors...He loved to tell everyone that the engine he placed in the boat he built back home in Terçeira, Açores was from a lawn mower...yep now that story was true and apparently it ran quite well. Go figure. He also built our house back home as well.

Daddio was very resourceful, clever and could fix anything. He was the original McGiver.

He taught himself to play the guitar. He and my mother loved to play and sing together. They were the life of the party. I miss those times.

We were fortunate to have the gift of music growing up thanks to our fun loving and amazing parents.

It's not hard to imagine my father up in heaven now with the love of his life, his querida Fernanda, my beautiful mother. I see them singing and playing their guitars and enjoying a glass of wine. I can't imagine Heaven without wine...

Thank you mama for waiting so patiently for your sweet heart. I just couldn't let him go.

You are finally together as it should be.


I love you poppy, oh yes I do, I love you poppy curu cu cu...

How much do I love you? Like dis.......




You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are gray

You'll never know dear

How much I love you

Please don't take

My sunshine away

pung, pung, pung.....