Gone too soon, Chandor’s son John laid to rest

MARGAO: People from all walks of life thronged Chandor on Saturday to pay their last respects to 26-year-old John Dias, who was killed in the USA.

It may be recalled that John, a store clerk at a gas station convenience store at Houston, Texas, was shot at, at close range by a masked burglar. 

People including political leaders and prominent members of society visited John’s residence at Culsabhatt-Chandor and offered their condolences to his mother Inacinha Dias.

A poster of John was displayed at his residence as the instrumental version of the hymn ‘Lord I am Coming Home’ reverberated in the air.

Most of his friends dressed up in football jerseys, carried the coffin from the house to the hearse van.

The Nossa Senhora de Belem Church in Chandor was packed as people who had come to attend the funeral mass wanted to get a glimpse of his body.

They prayed in unison for John’s soul and that his family gets the strength in these tough times. John was buried at the Chandor cemetery in the presence was a massive crowd who prayed along with the family.

On Saturday morning, John’s body arrived at the Dabolim airport and even here, people came to offer their help.

The neighbours said first and foremost, the family ever since they received the shocking news about John’s death, wanted to see his body as soon as possible so they could bury him.

Recounting the memories of a young John, the neighbours recalled his good values and reminisced about his love for football and his performance as goalkeeper for the Chandor and Guirdolim football clubs. 

His neighbours said John’s friends from the USA were also calling and enquiring with them to know how the family was coping and were also giving updates about the developments with the case in the USA.

The family thanked all those, including the State NRI Commission who helped in getting the body back to Goa.   

They said they were waiting for John to visit and share his experiences in the USA and about his future plans. 

They said they were shattered that their beloved John was taken away from them when he had such a long life ahead of him and a person who deserved much more.

Friends and neighbours have vowed to continue their support to the family and ensure that John’s legacy lives on forever.

John was born on May 16, 1995 and died on March 20, 2022. He had plans to build a house for his mother and was expected to get married soon.