Obituary of Ilidio Pires Marques Dias

Dias, Ilidio Ilidio Pires Marques Dias. May 17, 1940 (Samuel, Albergaria-a-Velha, Portugal) - April 24, 2019. With deep sadness we announce the passing of a gentle soul. Beloved father of Goretty Dias (Gudmundur Johannesson), Nuno Dias (Catia), Jacinta Dias, and Samuel Dias. Cherished grandfather to nine grandchildren (Aidan, Nuno, Marissa, Brandur, Michael, Francisca, Amilia, Adriana, Olivia), brother of Maria Adelaide Coutinho of London, and loved by his many nieces and nephews and their families in London, Portugal and abroad. Ilidio is predeceased by his parents, Preciosa and Augusto, and siblings Jose, Augusto, Margarida, Preciosa, and Olga. Ilidio immigrated to Canada with Gloria, his wife of 35 years, for a better life for his family. Ilidio was a kind, humble and friendly man, with a compassionate heart for all beings. He left as small a footprint as possible on the planet. Despite having to leave school after grade seven, and starting to work in a saw-mill at the age of 14, he achieved high school through online and night courses. His children were deeply influenced by his life-long love of learning. Ilidio was a talented man who did house renovations, gardened, and enjoyed giving new life to old wood in his woodworking projects. He rediscovered his love of animals and farming when he moved to the country with Ida, his wife of 21 years. Ilidio had a soft romantic side, and wrote deeply-felt prose in both Portuguese and English, and lovingly and expressively sang ballads and lullabies. Ilidio, you will be missed so much. Visitation and a celebration of life will be held at John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street, on Sunday, April 28th from 1-3 o'clock. Words of remembrance will commence at 3 o'clock. Friends, family and well-wishers are invited to visit the memorial page at www.donohuefuneralhome.ca. Donations to Azheimer Society (alzheimerlondon.ca), Amnesty International ( www.amnesty.org/en/) or Environmental Defense Fund (www.edf.org) in lieu of flowers would be appreciated.