Goa has lost a statesman of acute intellect, sharp mind and great social and political foresight. I have lost a friend and guide. Dr Willy was one of the few post-liberation leaders of Goa who shaped Goa’s destiny in many ways. He steered United Goans Party into Indian National Congress which led Goa from regional to national mainstream politics and decimated his arch-rivals the MGP. An eminent surgeon Dr Willy wielded his surgical as well as political scalpels with superb dexterity.
— Ramakant Khalap, Former Union Minister for Law & Justice
In the sad demise of Dr. Willy, Goa has lost a titan amongst men. His most herculean decision in life was to forsake his financially secure and brilliant career as a surgeon and plunge into the uncertain, treacherous and ultimately thankless world of politics and public service all because of the courage of his conviction to do good for Goa. True that he may have made a few bad political calls in his career but that he left a humongous imprint on our socio-political life particularly in the medical field will never be in doubt.
— Dr Oscar Rebello, Activist
In the death of Dr Wilfred de Souza, Goa has lost an astute politician, a great statesman and an eminent surgeon. To me it is a personal loss as I was associated and served him for over a decade. I have lost a guide and mentor.
— Trojano D’Mello, NCP spokesperson
The death of Dr Wilfred de Souza is a great loss to political society.
— Vinay Tendulkar, BJP president
Dr de Souza was associated with the party for a decade and was on forefront to bring NCP into mainstream politics. He was a highly charismatic leader and known as a Goa’s Chanakya.
— Jose Philip D’Souza, NCP president
Dr Wilfred de Souza’s love for Goa and Goans was boundless. He was a perfect politician who knew how to gain power and how to sustain it. He was a committed leader and a great lover of the Konkani language. He was genuinely secular and liberal in his views.
— Christopher Fonseca, Secretary CPI
A surgeon par excellence turned politician, Dr Wilfred de Souza was very knowledgeable, was someone with whom you could have an enlightening discussion on any issue. In his death Goa has lost a true Goenkar. He has been saved the agony of witnessing Goa’s remains being laid to rest.
— Aires Rodrigues, Social activist
Dr De Souza was known as one of the finest surgeons in the country. Thousands of people in Goa and across the country were beneficiaries of his medical skills. He was the tallest leader of the minority community and was the chanakya of Goan politics
— Surendra Furtado, Former Panjim Mayor