Vincent Anthony Pereira Snr, a simple and down-to-earth man, spent a lifetime at the helm of Bottlers Limited, the soft drink manufacturing company which he co-founded with the late Nesta Baiz.
In his homily during a Funeral Mass for Vincent at St Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Petit Valley, last Tuesday morning, Father Knolly Knox spoke of Pereira as being "essentially a family man". A fact which was proven by the beautiful remembrance from his granddaughter, Kiran Pereira, winner of the Girls Under 12, Royal Bank Junior Tennis Tournament last December. In a voice which often broke with tears, the 11 year old student of St Joseph Convent described her Grandpa's love for, and devotion to his grandchildren, Nicole, Brent, Stacey, Anna-Lisa, Luana, Damian, Alexandra and herself.
While Father Knox told of this "dedicated, focused and strongwilled man, who could be impatient with those who faltered and did not come up to his high standards. Everything was his home, to which he was deeply committed."
Vincent has left to mourn his beloved wife, Sheila, to whom he would have been married for fifty-five years in November, and his children, Margaret, Donna, Heather and Vincent jr (Nicki).
"We had a good life" says a devastated Sheila "that does not say that we did not disagree. He was a man who loved his family, home and particularly his garden, it was a beautiful garden but he had to give it up when the house became too big for us three years ago. He could be stern and when he said this was so, he didn't give in easily."
Vincent Anthony Pereira was born on April 29, 1922 and died on October 4, 2002. He was laid to rest at the Mucurapo Cemetery. May be Rest In Peace.