Anjelore, July 4: Veteran Konkani activist, artist and community leader Mr. J. B. Rasquinha (83) passed away today around 4:00 a.m.  He went to sleep after saying whole rosary, woke up around 3:00 a.m. to drink some water and around 4:00 a.m. he passed away.  He was born on February 26, 1919.  Just yesterday he was asking his daughter Lilly it seems that how old he was as he was losing little memory.

He was well known in the field of Konkani culture and language as well as Konkani literature.  He was the owner of Jerosa Company near Milagres Church, Mangalore, where he was selling all kinds of religious articles, Konkani news magazines, cassettes, CDs and greeting cards.  Always smile on his face, no matter how tired he was, he was a well known house hold name in Mangalorean Community.  He kept up his religious and family values and walked the talk.

Mr. Rasquinha served as the president of Lions Club of Padil, Mangalore, Vice president, secretary, treasurer of Konkani Natak Sabha (R), Mangalore, vice president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal (R), Mangalore, vice president of Anjelore Parish Council and many more community groups.  He was one of the founding fathers of Konkani Natak Sabha (R) and Don Bosco Hall.  His 'mantapa' for wedding programmes was very famous in Mangalore.  He was a writer, musician, singer, director, actor, make-up artist, costume designer, etc., etc., and well known for his organisational skills.  Mr. Rasquinha was very generous in giving advertisements to Konkani papers and Konkani programmes.  Konkani Natak Sabha's singing and elocution competitions were very close to his heart.  He had traveled all over the world with his wife, including Rome and the U.S. He was a real 'Konkan Samrat' of Mangalorean Community.

He was married to Rosy and they had seven daughters and one son.  He kept flowers' names to his daughters, namely Gulobi, Lilly, Goretti, Jacintha, Aboline, Sugandhi and Daisy.  Their married life's ultimate happiness was his only one son - Ulhas.  Mr. Rasquinha named their residence as, "Lhan Ful Bidaar."  His death is an unbearable loss, Mangalorean community lost one of its prominent heroes.  He left behind his loving wife, seven daughters, one son, sixteen grandchildren and thousands of friends and relatives.  May his soul rest in peace, Amen.

-Austin Prabhu.