RAIA: Former Match Commissioner and football referee, Mariano Mendes from Cavelossim, breathed his last at his residence at Cavelossim after ailing for sometime on Sunday. His funeral took place at Holy Cross Church, Cavelossim on Monday. He was 78. He leaves behind a son and a daughter.
A multi-faceted personality, Mariano rendered yeoman’s services for the promotion of football in Cavelossim and was conferred with Life Time Achievement Award. He was the founder life member and ex-chairman of the club, having occupied several posts in the club’s managing committee and was a star player of Lar de Estudantes at Altinho, Panjim.
Ex-headmaster Francis Rodrigues, former president of Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim, highlighted that Mariano left a rich legacy in the village. He was a very popular figure in the village, a great football lover and an outstanding football referee, having even been honoured by GFA for his passion for officiating with a degree of professionalism.
Besides football, he was also active in Konkani tiatrs, having acted in several dramas. He was a deeply religious person and was involved in the formation of Parish Councils when the Goa Diocese decided to launch the Councils in every parish. “With his passing away, an era has come to an end, but his work will ever remain in our hearts,” stated Francis.
Mariano’s former colleagues in refereeing, Milagres Teresa, Edmundo Miranda, Bernardinho Velho, Franky Fernandes, Mauricio Almeida, Greg Estrocio, Romeo Pires, GFA’s senior vice-president Anthony Pango also condoled the death of Mariano.
