(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The city's music community is mourning the death of Mario Moreira, a Dubai-based Indian musician who passed away in Mumbai, India, on October 5 after battling an illness since July this year. Moreira was 45 years old.
According to his contemporaries and well-wishers, Mario was a multi-instrumentalist and talented singer, and his death came as a colossal loss to Dubai's Goan and music community. "A parishioner of St Mary's Church in Dubai, Mario was a treasured member of Dubai's expat music community," said Rev Father Andre F Fernandes, the spiritual director for the Goan Community at St Mary's Church.
He was laid to rest in his hometown in Panjim, Goa, on Tuesday. The funeral mass was held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Don Bosco, Panjim, Goa, followed by the burial at St Inez cemetery. A special memorial mass was organised in Mario's honour at 5pm at St Mary's Church in Dubai on Tuesday.
Speaking to Khaleej Times from Goa after the funeral, Wilfred Manuel, Mario's relative, said: "He passed away on October 5 due to an illness which he was diagnosed with in July. He was undergoing treatment in Mumbai. Unfortunately, he did not make it as everything happened too fast." His wife Marilyn survives him, and the couple had two children, a daughter aged 12 and a son aged five.
"Mario had been in the UAE for over 20 years. He would also teach music to children whenever he found time," said Manuel. The multi-instrumentalist played music for several bands. "He played the guitars, the keyboard, and was an excellent singer.
"He was very much attached to our Goan community and was an active member of the church where he was in charge of the cultural activities. He would teach young kids music and organise all the musical events. He was also a very well-known musician in Goa."
Nikhil Raj Uzgare, a Dubai-based musician, said: "Though I did not know him in a very close personal capacity, we have known each other for 10 years. He was an extremely humble person and a very talented musician. Whoever needed help, he came forward. He was very accommodating and helped so many people. It was a big shock for the music community in Dubai."
DhanushaGokulan
Originally from India, Dhanusha Gokulan has been working as a journalist for 10 years. She has a keen interest in writing about issues that plague the common person, and will never turn down a human interest story. She completed her Bachelor in Arts in Journalism, Economics, and English Literature from Mangalore University in 2008. In her spare time, she dabbles with some singing/songwriting, loves travelling, and Audible is her favourite mobile application. Tweet at her @wordjunkie88
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