Obituary of Jovit Mendonça
Jovit Mendonça
February 15, 1935 - August 19, 2025
After a prolonged farewell, it is with heavy but loving hearts and cherished memories that the family of Jovit Mendonça announce Jovit’s passing on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the age of 90 years, after his lengthy and courageous battle with Parkinsonism and Vascular Dementia.
Jovit was the most loving and dearly loved son of John and Anne Mendonça (deceased, Bombay, India), who was born in Bombay, India, on February 15, 1935. He was the most loving and much loved, youngest sibling of Eva (Cyril Sequeira), Charles and Albert, (all deceased, Bombay, India).
Jovit is Margaret’s (nee Fernandes) (London, ON) most loving and beloved husband of 62 years, the beloved and fiercely proud and loving father of Jeremy (Zaiba Mian) (Toronto, ON), and Nicola (John Glatt) (London, ON), and grandfather of Erica Glatt (London, ON) and Jillian Glatt (Jeffrey Henderson)(Kingston, ON).
Jovit greatly loved his sisters and brothers in law, Rita Hughes (Cam Hughes, deceased)(London, ON); Nelson DeAbreo (deceased)(Bombay, India); Henry Fernandes (deceased)(Mansfield, England); Helena Fernandes (Ian Clayton)(Mansfield, England); and his nieces and nephews, Christina Sequeira (deceased)(Bombay, India); Owen Sequeira (deceased) (Thelma) (Bombay, India); Nelita Glatt (Paul)(London, ON); Paul Glatt (deceased)(London, ON); Christina Lidzbarski (John)(London, ON); Nicholas Fernandes (Bev)(Taunton, England); Richard Fernandes (Julie)(Mansfield, England) and Alison Fernandes (Richard)(Sheffield, England) and their families. He so loved his Rodrigues and Mendonça family, cousins, and his many, many Parel neighbourhood and Bombay childhood friends that were all truly also his brothers and sisters.
Jovit was proud of and delighted in the academic achievements and the many life successes of his wife, children and grandchildren, just as we, his family, were amazed and so proud of his own hard won achievements and life goals attained in both, India and Canada, despite starting a new life with his family, as a newcomer immigrant, arriving in Canada on June 19, 1970, half a world away from his mother country, leaving behind all that he knew, loved and accomplished, only to start anew again for exciting opportunities and the betterment of his family.
It was a big career leap from working with “Numbers” as Branch Manager (B.A. Economics) with the British Bank of Scotland and England, in Bombay, India, to working with “People” in his new immigrant career in London, Canada. Out of necessity, Jovit dabbled his feet in the first job he was ever offered here, within the social services organization of London’s Men’s Mission. He was, literally, on night duty “in the door”, managing intake for each Mission resident when Jovit began to become captivated by this social work which provided much needed supports to London’s oppressed and under privileged citizens. Under the kind mentorship of London’s Men’s Mission original ministry leaders, Alvin Roth and Roger Smith, Jovit’s enthusiasm grew by leaps and bounds as he advanced from strength to strength in his job service role and, truly, what became his dedicated life vocation. Attainment of many professional development course credits and work placement advances gave Jovit the final push towards the undertaking and completion of his Master of Education degree (M.Ed.), as a five year, part-time student at The University of Western Ontario, Althouse College, all while still carrying out the duties of his day job within Quintin Warner House Program, London’s Men’s Mission Services as a rehabilitation counsellor. Shortly after attaining his Master degree, Jovit was hired as the first Program Director for Ontario’s new addictions treatment facility at Thamesville, Ontario, Westover Treatment Centre, under the auspices of the Ontario Ministry of Health. The rest is history in the annals of Ontario’s Addiction Services. Jovit went into retirement in 2000, after an extremely satisfying and fruitful professional career within addiction treatment work.
Jovit’s unwavering love, protection and commitment towards his faith and his family gave him the strength to endure and persevere in the face of life’s challenges which, in turn, enabled him to build a successful life for himself and his family. Jovit loved meeting people and making friends of which he had many dear to him, nearby and across the globe. He brought great joy to his life and others through his: love and care of his family pets, beautifying his home and surroundings, singing and dancing, trying out new hobbies, dry and witty sense of humour, baking of cheesecakes, practice of daily exercise and love of sports, playing the saxophone, philosophical freelance and jaunty poetry writings, abstract doodles and sketches, many decades of collecting and curating his inspirational home libraries, and travelling the world over with Margaret, revelling in the awesomeness and beauty that this planet has to offer. He greatly enjoyed volunteering within the Catholic Church Ministries and helping others that needed a helping hand. Jovit lived his life to the fullest.
We, Jovit’s family, greatly thank Sifton Properties’ Richmond Woods Retirement Residences for the many happy memories Jovit and Margaret have enjoyed during their long association with them.
We are deeply indebted to the empathic and professional medical care including palliative care and personal support Jovit has received during his residence at St. Joseph’s Health Care, Mount Hope Long Term Care, St. Mary’s residence, London, which truly had become Jovit’s second family and home away from Home, and through the clinical expertise and compassionate support of Dr. Jordan Berry, and his Team, Palliative Care, University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre and Dr. Altaf Mawji, London, whom Jovit and the Mendonça family entrusted their beloved Jovit into their care. Thank you and God Bless your daily administrations of wellness, compassionate and dignified care given to Jovit and the patient community within your walls.
Cremation has taken place. The Order of Christian Funerals will be held in St Michael’s Parish Church, 511 Cheapside Street, London, Ontario, on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 12:00 noon. Reception afterwards. The Rite of Committal to follow, by private family gathering.
“…Jesus told them…There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
Jovit, thank you for all you have given up for us, and given to us. You will always be in our hearts, souls and memories, until we are together again, cherished husband, father and grandfather.
Expressions of sympathy will be greatly appreciated, directed to the website of Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwestern Ontario, (www.rmhc-swo.ca) which is one of the charities sponsored by Mount Hope Long Term Care, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, and Mission Services of London (London, ON) (www.missionservices.ca/) and Westover Treatment Centre (Thamesville, ON) (www.westovertreatmentcentre.ca/)
Funeral arrangements managed by Donohue Funeral Home, London, Ontario.
