Rafael Pereira was born in Lajes, Terceira, named proudly after his father. From his earliest days, he carried within him a blend of quiet strength, sharp wit, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Rafael and Genuina, and survived by his cherished siblings Natalina (Jose), João Fernando (Filomena) and Maria de Lurdes, as well as his nieces and nephews.

A spirited and mischievous soul, Rafael was never one to follow a conventional path. School couldn’t hold him for long, and though his upbringing was strict, he met life’s demands with humour and grit. By the age of 15, he was working as an apprentice cobbler, beginning a life shaped by resilience and responsibility.

At 19, Rafael was conscripted into the army and sent to Mozambique during the Portuguese Colonial War. There, in the chaos of conflict, he endured bomb blasts, lived in trenches, and bore witness to the heartbreaking loss of fellow soldiers. But even amid darkness, Rafael found moments of levity—like the time he befriended a monkey, or when he first heard the music of The Beatles. His light-hearted nature never left him, even in the most difficult of times.

Before returning home, Rafael began writing letters to Odette—a fellow Lajes native living in Canada. His persistence paid off. In April 1975, he joined her in Toronto. They were married by May. From the start, their love was effortless and deep. Their marriage became a model of true partnership, of unconditional love and devotion that endured five beautiful decades.

The birth of their son Steven in 1977 was a dream realized for Rafael—a continuation of the Pereira name, and a son who would mirror his father’s wit and charm. In 1985, their daughter Stefanie was born. Though Rafael was resistant to a second child, she became the daughter Rafael never knew he needed, and he adored her beyond words.

With a humble start in Canada, Rafael worked hard to provide for his family, taking on various jobs before finding his place in the construction industry. He never forgot his roots and continued to visit his family back home.

In 1997, Rafael suffered a devastating injury that ended his career and threatened his mobility. Doctors warned he might never walk again, but with the love and support of Odette and their children, Rafael defied the odds, reclaiming his independence with quiet determination.

Never one to stay idle, Rafael poured his energy into home renovations and handiwork, always busy, always fixing. In 2006, he found a new purpose—as caregiver to his first grandchild, Sebastian. Their bond was immediate and profound. Years later, he welcomed cherished granddaughter Emily, and then grandsons Theodore and Malcolm. Each child was a source of deep pride, each a reflection of Rafael in their own way—especially Theo, who shares his grandfather’s striking blue eyes.

In February 2025, Rafael and Odette celebrated 50 years of marriage a few months early aboard the Princess Sky. It was a perfect moment: champagne, lobster, laughter, and stolen kisses. That celebration will forever be etched in his family’s hearts.

Rafael loved quietly but fiercely. He was not one for grand gestures, but his love was evident in every small act of care and devotion—especially toward Odette, whose hand he reached for until his very last days. She never let go.

He is deeply mourned by his beloved wife Odette, son Steven (Michelle), daughter Stefanie (William), and grandchildren Sebastian, Emily, Theodore, and Malcolm. His dear friend Jose Machado (Ilda) and devoted brother João Fernando were pillars of support through Rafael’s final chapter.

Rafael served as a long-time director of the Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga. The community—both in Canada and Terceira—grieves the loss of a man whose kindness, humour, and humility touched countless lives.

Rafael was the heart of his family, a quiet hero whose legacy of love will endure for generations.

“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.” – Emily Dickinson

May he rest in eternal peace.

Family and friends will be received at Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario St., on Monday, August 4th from 5pm-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saints Peter & Paul Parish, 4070 Central Parkway East, on Tuesday, August 5th at 9:30am with interment to follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery, 6933 Tomken Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ian Anderson House.
www.ianandersonhouse.com


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Família e amigos serão recebidos no Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario St., na segunda-feira, dia 4 de agosto, das 17h às 20h. A Missa de Funeral será celebrada na Igreja Saints Peter & Paul Parish, 4070 Central Parkway East, na terça-feira, dia 5 de agosto, às 9h30, seguida de sepultamento no Assumption Catholic Cemetery, 6933 Tomken Rd.

Em vez de flores, poderão ser feitas doações para an Ian Anderson House.
www.ianandersonhouse.com