JOE (JOSE GIL) AMARAL DO COUTO

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JOE (JOSE GIL) AMARAL DO COUTO December 19, 1955 - August 9, 2009 Peacefully with his family and friends by his side, Joe, beloved husband, father and friend, passed away at Riverview Health Centre on August 9, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. Joe was dearly loved and will be very sadly missed by his wife of 26 years, Gisela, his two children Amanda (18) and Steven (14). Also left to mourn and cherish his memory are his brothers Eduardo (Maria) of Victoria, British Columbia and Alberto of Winnipeg, his in-laws Idalina and Joao Rosa, sisters-in-law Delia (Rogerio) and Elma (Denyo) all of the Island of Terceira, Acores, nieces, other extended family members and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents Joao and Fernanda Couto. Joe was born in Agua de Pau, in the Island of Sao Miguel, Acores, Portugal on December 19, 1955 and immigrated to Winnipeg in 1971 with his parents. Joe worked most of his life in the garment industry until 2005 when he went to work for Dixon Bayco Limited and was employed there until his cancer diagnosis on January 1, 2008. Joe was a hardworking, quiet and caring man and he was a loving husband and father. Joe's greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife and children but one other thing that always made Joe happy was dancing. He enjoyed listening to Portuguese music and he loved dancing and always had to be the first on the dance floor and was usually the last to leave. In the summer months Joe enjoyed camping at his trailer at the Portuguese Recreation Campground in St. Laurent, Manitoba and spending time with his many friends at the campground. Joe also enjoyed travelling with his family back home to the Islands of Sao Miguel and Terceira in the Azores to spend time with extended family. We would like to thank family, our many friends and co-workers both at Joe's place of employment and at Gisela's place of employment for all their acts of kindness, prayers, support and understanding during this very difficult time. Joe also appreciated and was overwhelmed by all the support he received from family, friends, co-workers and the Portuguese Community. Thank you to Dr. Andrew Maksymiuk at CancerCare and to his nurse Marissa Rodrigues for all their caring and compassion and for doing all they could to prolong Joe's life. Thank you also to the Palliative Care nurses for their in-home care and compassion and to the doctors, nurses and caring workers at Riverview Health Centre. God Bless you all. Dad, we will always remember you, you will have a special place in our hearts forever. We love you. Descansa em Paz. If friends so wish in lieu of flowers donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Inc., 675 McDermot Avenue, Room ON1160, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9. Prayers will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 181 Austin Street N. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. also at the Church with Very Rev. José Eduardo Medeiros, V. F. as Celebrant. Interment to follow in Assumption Cemetery. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 12, 2009