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Designed , developed & Hosted By Kishoo, Barkur |
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‘barkur.com Team’ feel proud to present a great son of Barkur and salute Shri Felix Barnes, and respect him as the “Personality of the month”.
Definitely there will be none in Mumbai-Barkurian circles, who might
not heard the name of Shri Felix Barnes, Ex-president of St.Peter’s
Association Barkur-Mumbai. Born, in Bombay, on 12th May, 1938, and later brought-up
in far away remote village Sankady, of Barkur parish, surrounded by one
or two Catholic, few Syrians, and mostly by Hindu families, he got
educated at Mary knoll School, Barkur and Viveka High School Kota,
landed in Mumbai, in search of a career in 60s. Being a ace sportsman,
excelled in long jump, and brought glory to the School by winning
trophies in Cricket, Badminton, and continued to play County in Bombay
in 60s and 70s, but hard luck, not able to play Ranji. Undoubtedly, as the saying goes, like father like son – his
father, late Shri Santhan Banz and mother late Mrs Juana
Buthello were great social workers in Bombay as early as in 1920s,
and was a BEST employee during British Raj and to the
extent we know, he was the pioneer to start first club at Mumbai Fort,
dedicated to St.Peter, the patron of Barkur. His second son, Felix,
(elder son was Mr. Simon Banz - ex Bombay Port Trust employee, now
retired, and residing in Sankady, Barkur, only sister Mrs Florine
Furtado, also settled in New Mumbai) rightly a chip of old block
has gone many a steps beyond, to become the President of SPA, may be to
materialise un-cherished dreams of his father!!
Being founder member as well as one of the promoters and later,
walked into the shoes of Late Mr.Simplen Sequeira, to be its President,
in the year 1998 till 2000, Felix is instrumental in making SPA a
household name in Bombay today. Lot of new concepts introduced in the
day-to-day running of the Association and for the welfare of its members
and Barkurians especially youngsters. Mention may be made of its
adapting Mary knoll H.Primary School, by facilitating English teaching,
donating uniforms, and awarding scholarships etc. Apart from this he was the President of Giants International, Mulund
way back in 1984, and recognised for organising lot of social
activities, and personally I had the privilege to see him on the dais to
receive the honours at Shanmukanand Hall. He is also well known in Konkanni community and popular with
non-Christians too and carved a niche for himself in social fields.
Since last year he got elected, as the Director of Model Co-operative
Bank is another feather in his success cap. What we realise is, on observing his social concerns and leadership
qualities, the positions are offered and knocking his doorsteps, as on
July 6th 2002, he took over the prestigious post of PRESIDENT of LIONS
CLUB, of Bombay Lake side, for the years 2002/2003, at Hotel Vishwa
Samrat. His efforts to bridge the gap between the Roman Catholics and Syrian
Christians, (before moving to Sankady, they were the natives of
Sulkudru, Mabukal, where the Syrians are in large number,) of
the native place, encouragement to youngsters, simplicity and ready
accessibility - deserve a special mention. Married to Bernadette, (Benny) an ideal love marriage, in the year
1968, they are blessed with two talented daughters, the eldest. Shirley
Joan married to Anthony Gonsalves of Halekody and settled in U.A.E. and
the youngest Glenis perusing her studies. After serving couple of decades, in firms like M/s H.H. Johnson (
I ) Bombay, since 1961, reached to the level of Plant Manager, in
its Tool Room and Production Dept, retired in the year 1998. Felix a
short man with a razor sharp mind, an infectious grin, now runs a
private business……..and also serve as consultant and partner in
other firms and very successful. Surely, this is a small introduction of Mr Felix, and his well wish
wishers and those associated with him for years, are welcome to add a
word or two… ‘barkur.com Team’ feel proud of this great son of Barkur and
salute Shri Felix Barnes, and respect him as the “personality of
the month”. May he live and serve long in
organisations like, the mentioned above, and continue to be a source of
inspiration to coming generation to imitate. We wish him and his family
a long healthy and prosperous life! -
P.Archibald
Furtado, Muscat. Archives |
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Barkur, located in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka, India. 576 210 |
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Copyright Kishoo, Barkur 2002. |
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