Manuel de Sousa Teodoro
March 12, 2023
Peacefully passed away with family at his side at Parkwood Institute, London on Sunday, March 12, 2023, in his 96th year. Beloved husband of Dionildes de Jesus Viegas Teodoro of 65 years. Beloved father of Jorge Teodoro (Betty Ann), Margaret Teodoro (Tony), and José Teodoro (Durvalina). Manuel was the first-born child of José de Sousa Teodoro and Maria de Carmo Galego; and was the oldest and last surviving brother to Deolinda, José, Ilda, Julio and João, along with his half-sister, Natividade. Creative, fun loving, energetic Vovô is sadly missed by his five grandchildren: Dina, Daniel, Nikolas, Marissa, and Rebecca, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Manuel was born in Mealhas, São Brás de Alportel, Algarve, Portugal where he learned the trade of shoemaker and nurtured a budding passion in visual arts. He immigrated to London, Ontario in 1959 with his wife Dionildes, and their first-born, Jorge (and Margaret as contraband, as he was fond of saying). Their goals were to settle into Canadian ways, work hard, and provide a better life for their children. They exceeded their goals. Manuel always valued a good education, and he completed his high school diploma and attended Visual Arts Programs at Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario as a senior citizen. Classmates may remember his art project when he took a sledgehammer to a porcelain toilet. The meaning of this act will evermore be debated in our family.
Manuel was a proud founding, life-long member, and past President of the Portuguese Club of London.
In his late forties Manuel took up long distance running, eventually completing many marathons, and setting several Canadian records in various age and distance categories. He still holds Canadian road records for 15K, and 10M (Men 85yrs). He continued to race into his early 90s. After retirement Manual and Dionildes enjoyed traveling and spending time with their family. They voyaged across Canada, explored Costa Rica and ventured into parts of the US. Their hearts never left their homeland of Portugal, and made a point to visit annually. Manuel had a very creative, artistic mind, and he focused on his love for painting, shoemaking, growing vegetables and fruit (while fending off squirrels, raccoons, and groundhogs), and he was an avid reader. He loved to share stories of growing up in Portugal and his awe-inspiring knowledge of historical life events which will forever be remembered by his grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., with the funeral service being conducted at 2:00 p.m. A livestream of the service will be available for those unable to attend in person. To register for the livestream, please click here:
Leave a tribute for Manuel de Sousa Teodoro
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Dear Jorge, Margaret, Joe and Families: My deepest condolences on the passing of your dear Father. He was always a gentleman and a great contributor to both the Portuguese and Canadian communities. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts and memories of many.
My deepest condolencesJoe &Margaret and the whole family!
Dear Margaret and family, So very sorry to hear of your fathers (grandfathers) passing. He was brave to begin a new life in Canada for his family. And what a beautiful family he had. Hugs to all!
Jorge, Joe, Margaret and Families Our deepest condolences for you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Memories will never be forgotten of our wonderful Primo Manuel Lovingly your primos Agostinho and Ferreira Family
My condolences to the family.
Services for Manuel de Sousa Teodoro
Visitation will be held at:
Westview Funeral Chapel
709 Wonderland Road North,
London, Ontario
March 19, 2023 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Funeral Service will be held at:
Westview Funeral Chapel
709 Wonderland Road North,
London, Ontario
March 19, 2023 2:00 pm
My uncle was an inspirational man. An artist and a marathon runner. Knowledgeable in politics and current events, well read, articulate, and well versed. As a kid I remember his impressive collection of National Geographic magazines, only to be outdone by his running medals and trophy wall. Those murals at the Portuguese club, my uncle painted them. Oh, he also co-founded the club itself. On a trip to Portugal in 2018 in the Algarve, I saw a modern looking sculpture in the middle of a new traffic roundabout. He designed that sculpture! When I was a know-it-all high school kid I went on about the importance of municipal government (something I learned only the week before in class). He corrected me that there are only two official levels of government not three. Municipalities are not independent entities from their province or territory. Remembering that small fact scored me some points on a university exam a few years later... thanks tio! He was a family historian and told stories and gave insights about his dad, my great-grandfather. My passion for biking is inspired by his example. There are naysayers that have told me that an adult man should not bike; it's a children's toy. I know there were people who gave him a hard time when jogging, running, and physical activity was not in style. I brush off any criticism and think of his example whenever someone in a car flips me the finger when I'm commuting by bike, or a coworker asks why I don't use a car or just take the bus. He broke the way and set the standard! For my wedding he gifted us a painting of the Algarve , overlooking the hills. It hangs in my living room. Every time I pass by it I think of him. I will miss you!
~ Michael, Dianne, Logan, Odin, Lauren Pereira