It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Garcia Silveira de Andrade on July 14, 2023 at 90 years of age.  John is together again with Virginia, his wife of 64 years.  He is survived by his daughters Judith (Heraldo) Moitoso of Cambridge and Lucy (Michael) Gruber of Oakville, granddaughters Angela (Peter) Topolovec, Donna (Scott) McAulay, Gloria Moitoso, Faith and Nicole Gruber, and great-grandchildren Kaison and Everleigh McAulay, and Dario and Anika Topolovec.  Predeceased by his parents John and Maria Andrade, his sister, Maria da Conceicao of British Columbia, and Fernando of Rhode Island.  He leaves behind 7 brothers and sisters:  Francisco and Maria Palmira of Oakville, Delfina, Antonio, Emilia , Maria das Dores and Noelia of Rhode Island.  He was brother-in-law to Maria and Francisco of Faial, and Jose, Isaltina, Antonio, Delfina, Angelina (deceased), and Manuel of Rhode Island.  He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

John was born on March 6, 1933 on the island of Faial in Azores, Portugal.  He married Virginia in 1957 and immigrated to Canada to start a better life for his family.  He worked on the rail lines and talked about having to sleep in train cars and being rattled out of bed in the middle of the night when a speeding train went by.  He eventually got a job as a school custodian and spent the majority of his work life at St. Joseph's school in Oakville.  He was known for going on the school roof during recess and surprising the kids by throwing down all the balls which had accidentally landed on the roof during the school year; he loved to hear the squeals of delight as the children suddenly realized it was raining balls!

He was a quiet man who loved being outside and tending to his vegetables and fruit trees.  He was known for grafting trees and you would often be surprised to see more than one type of fruit growing on the same tree.  You could often find him sitting on the patio just watching his garden grow, listening to the birds chirp, and taking in the fresh air.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his loves, and his face lit up whenever they came to visit.  He loved woodworking and would make little toys and figurines for his grandchildren to play with.  He would tell stories from his childhood, and would sometimes crack a joke making everybody laugh.

For the last few years as his health was declining, he was cared for by the staff at Palermo Village and then at Allendale Long-Term Care.  Many thanks to all the wonderful staff who took such good care of him, and to Raul for giving him spiritual comfort as he was ending his earthly journey.  He leaves us with many stories and memories, and we now must bid John a fond farewell until we meet again in God's loving arms.

Visitation will be at Kopriva Taylor (64 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville) on Sunday, July 23 from 1-3pm and 6-8pm.  Funeral Mass will be at St. James Roman Catholic church (231 Morden Rd, Oakville) on Tuesday, July 25 at 10:30am with burial at Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery.