Team Herald
PANJIM: Fr Chrysologus D’Cunha, who passed away on January 6 and was interred on January 7, 2025, has left behind a legacy of touching memories, particularly those cherished by his students, teachers, and Salesian confrères.
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Students remember him fondly for instilling self-confidence, discipline, and values, while also demonstrating genuine care with a big heart. He is also remembered as a pioneer and dynamic farm manager at Don Bosco Sulcorna, even though he served as Rector in various places in Mumbai and Goa.
One former student of Don Bosco Sulcorna, Cicero Philip Fernandes, now an IT Operations Engineer in the UK, recalls, “Fr Chrys mentioning my name at Mass, and how I worked hard on my Konkani Mass readings, touched me deeply. I’ll never forget how Fr Chris believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself, and I can never thank him enough for his kindness and encouragement.”
Another former Sulcorna student, Kevin Souza, who was a boarder from 2001 to 2006, stated, “He ensured we were well-fed, not just with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but with little extras like ladoos, peanut chikkis, bananas, chikoos, and coconuts from the farm.”
Anthony Mascarenhas, the former President of the Alumni Association at Dominic Savio, Andheri, Mumbai, commented, “Fr Chrys will be fondly remembered as the pioneer and Godfather of this lovely institute, Dominic Savio Andheri.”
Kenneth Fernandes expressed his gratitude, saying, “Fr Chrys played a big role in my life. He took care of my children—Kevin, Elton, and Desiree—when they were in the boarding school, especially during and after the death of my wife, Eva. My children and I are so grateful to him.” Such was the greatness of this priest.
Beatrice Pinto, a former teacher at Don Bosco Matunga, recalled how Fr Chrys gave her a tremendous boost of confidence during her early years of teaching by encouraging her to organise a quiz on Don Bosco. Jenifa Dias, a teacher at Mount Mary’s High School, Chinchinim, shared, “I often recount his lessons to my students, telling them how Fr Chrys used humour and his understanding nature to instil discipline and impart values.”
Nisha Vaz, a teacher at Don Bosco Farm High School, Sulcorna, described Fr Chrys as “A true Salesian, robust and tall, who led us by faith and prayer, always reminding us with the words: ‘Don’t worry, Mother Mary is there’.”
Teacher Avina Rodrigues from Don Bosco Sulcorna recalled, “Whether it was the scorching summers, the winter chill, late evenings, or monsoon storms, he would be out in the Don Bosco Sulcorna plantations with the farm workers, guiding and directing them.”
Fr Chris Valentino, a former student and now a priest at Don Bosco Lonavla, remembers him as “A cheerful, jovial, affable, and inspiring personality.”
Fr Austin Fernandes, Director of Don Bosco Youth Services in Benaulim, shared, “From morning till evening, he would listen attentively to the little boys and girls who came to him with their problems. That was his love for children.”
Fr Brian Moras, Vice Rector at Don Bosco, Kurla, Mumbai, recalled, “The Andheri boys remember him fondly as one who genuinely cared for his boys, a man with a big heart.”
With the passing of Fr Chrys, the Salesian community has lost a priest with a big heart, much like their founder, Don Bosco.
