It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Lucindo Teixeira Soares. Lucindo passed away on October 19th, 2023, at the age of 62, with his loving family by his side.

Lucindo (Luke) Soares was born to his parents, Gil, and Angelina Soares on May 11th, 1961. Lucindo is survived by his wife Lucia with a beautiful 39 years of marriage and having three children, Amy (Ennio), Julia (Fernando), and Alexander (Cynthia).

He is a proud vovô to Serafina, Dante, Rafael, Alessia, and Adriano and a loving brother to Rita (Joe), Manuel (Cecilia), Anna, Maria, and Joe (Nella). He was also a loving brother-in-law to Joe (Miriam), Nelia (John), Mario (Jennifer), and Luis (Lana), and an adoring uncle, cousin, and friend to countless others.

Luke was proudly born in the small town of Porto Formoso on the Island of Sao Miguel. His work ethic and determination has always been appreciated even from a young age. As a boy, he would collect seaweed on the rough ocean waters to sell to medicinal companies; he would also sell shellfish to locals by the side of the road. All this was done to earn money to help his parents, three sisters and two brothers.

He lived an adventurous childhood on his beloved island, where he would roam the beautiful, lush landscape and rocky ocean side. Luke had carried a passion for nature with him his whole life and this was, no doubt, a result of his upbringing on the Azores islands of Portugal, a place he always held so close to his heart.

He would often share these stories, of his wild childhood in his homeland, with his own children during dinnertime conversations and during bedtime. At times, the stories seemed so far-fetched, his own children would question how much was fact and how much was fiction. It was all true.

At the young age of 14, Luke and his family had all immigrated to Oakville, Ontario to start a new life.  Young Luke, and his brothers and sisters, worked vigorously along with their parents to provide for their new life in Canada. Like many immigrants, the entire household contributed, and Luke would always put the needs of his family before his own.

Soon after arriving in Oakville, Luke met the love of his life, Lucia. The young teenagers quickly fell in love, were engaged at 18 and married by 22. 'Luke and Lucy', as they were referred to, were inseparable. Love emanated from Luke and Lucy, so much so that all those around knew this was something truly special. Even when they argued, the immense love they had for one another stood above everything else.  Their love story continued to grow through the birth of their three children, Amy, Julia, and Alex.

Each of Luke's children shares special attributes with their father.

Amy and Luke share a creative spirit. They are both artists in their own ways, and both shared an innate ability to see the beauty in their surroundings. Luke's love of natural beauty, through rocks, trees, and water, has been passed along to Amy. There is nothing in nature's beauty that doesn't allow Amy to think of her sweet dad. Amy thanks her father for his eminent kindness and for fostering her creativity.

Julia and Luke share a nurturing heart; always ready to show all those around them affection and kindness. Julia's smile carries the same warmth as her beloved father's. Julia and Luke could communicate freely to each other, like no other family members could. Julia thanks her father for always being there to call and for showing her how to love, with her whole self.

Alex and Luke share the inseparable bond of father and son. Luke has taught Alex how to be a father and a hard-working husband. Starting at the young age of five, Alex would often accompany Luke to work, and this instilled in Alex a love for driving machinery and working in construction. Alex thanks his father for being his best friend.

Over the course of Luke's life, he has held many titles; baker, son, landscaper, husband, construction worker, uncle, business owner, father, contractor, just to name a few. The one title he was most proud of was that of grandfather, affectionately known as Vovô by his grandchildren. His love for his "babies", as he would call them, was immense. Already, at such young ages, he had special relationship with each of his six grandchildren already. Serafina, Dante, Rafael, Alessia, Marcelo, and Adriano have been ­blessed with his snuggles, smiles, kisses, and endless ice cream scoops.

This past summer, after 40 years, Luke fulfilled his lifelong wish to return to his Island with Lucy, his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren. The family spent precious quality time together sharing sites, family meals, and finally seeing where Luke had grown up. The backdrop to his childhood tales were brought to life as he retold his stories as a boy in Sao Miguel.

He showed his family where he dove to retrieve seaweed, the corner where he sold shellfish, his grandfather's farmland, the tea factory where his mother worked, his church, and all the structures his father had built. Most notably, Luke brought his family to the home he grew up in and showed them his humble beginnings. He swelled with tears of pride and appreciation during the visit. His family had finally experienced firsthand just how far he had come.

During this trip, the family often found Luke most at peace when he was by the ocean where he would be praying to the Lord with words of gratitude or talking to his beloved mother through the ocean waves. Luke was in his glory. The entire family will forever hold the time spent with Luke in his homeland in their hearts.

His work ethic, perseverance and resilience expanded beyond his work life and into his personal life and personal struggles as he battled alcoholism. He never gave up and succeeded after a tough journey to remain sober for over 10 years. He was a proud member of AA and reciprocated all the support given to him by his 'second family' to succeed, by using his lived experiences to help countless others in their own journeys. Luke and his family will always be grateful for the support from his 'Happy Sponsor' throughout his journey.

His willingness to help others was present in every facet of his life, as he always looked to protect others who needed protection, to provide for those who needed to be provided for, and most of all, to feed others who needed to be fed through his immense love of food and cooking.

If you truly knew Luke, you have been fed by him in one way or another. If it wasn't with a warm meal, it was with his gentle kindness, and almost always it was both. Luke will continue to feed us all in his passing with warm memories. Luke lived his life to the fullest and always found joy in everything, and feeding others was often how he found the most joy.

The best way to honour Luke is through acts of kindness and enjoying life to the fullest just as he did. His meals and most of all his company will be greatly missed.