Obituaries

I stand before you today the representative of a family in mourning and in shock.  We have lost a great son, a great brother, brother-in-law, a great nephew, cousin, neighbour and a great friend.  Vanished, in a blink of an eye.  Young, much too young to be gone already.  Making sense out of death is difficult, but this?  How do you make sense out of senseless? 

It was only last Sunday, Easter Sunday, that we were all with Rick together, a family rejoicing a sacred holiday.  Rick was his usual jovial self, mingling with cousins, the customary hugs and kisses, and he was enjoying his meal, especially dessert, as he always had a sweet tooth.  Rick was busily taking pictures of us to send to family overseas, but little did we know, that would be the last time we would see Rick.  Now we are left asking ourselves, if only we could have said goodbye in person.  Rick was my cousin and he touched my life in so many ways.  He was the very essence of fortitude and strength of mind, for he never expressed pity for himself and never gave up on his life.  He tried to make the best of everything, and told everyone he met that you must never take your life for granted.

Henrique Manuel Silva Marques was born in Vancouver on June 24th, 1963, to his adoring parents Antonio and Maria de Lurdes.  A year later he was joined by a sister, Elizabeth, with whom he shared a strong sibling bond.  He was the typical young boy, full of life and energy, but a real softie at heart.  As a young person, Rick was involved in the Portuguese Community.  For many years, he was a member of the Portuguese Marching Band, playing the French Horn.  Rick later learned to play the accordion and danced in the Rancho Folclore Cruz de Cristo.