Obituary of Henrique (Henry) Alves

Those wishing to honour Henry's memory are invited to join the family at Williamsburg Cemetery, Kitchener on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 1 p.m. for the Urn Interment.

If inclement weather, the ceremony will take place at the Dedication Centre (on site). Visitation immediately following at the Dedication Centre with light refreshments.

Henrique Augusto Alves passed away in Kitchener Ont., on Friday September 20 after suffering an unexpected and massive stroke. He died shortly after in hospital. He was 88.

Henrique was born on April 14, 1931 in a small town in Portugal. He was the oldest of five siblings whose mother died when he was nine years old. He was raised by his grandmother in poverty and during the difficult time of the Spanish Civil War.

Henrique immigrated to Canada in 1957 and eventually got work with CN rail. He became a trained small machines operator, laying down track all over Ontario.

He later entered the construction industry as an Ironworker Rodman with Local 721 and built buildings all over southern Ontario. He was part of the crew that worked on Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto.

Henrique went back to Portugal and married Irena Esteves in 1961 and she immigrated to Canada on Christmas Eve 1964. They had two children, Henrique Jr. and Edite.

Henrique and Irena relocated to Kitchener to be near family in 1999 but Irena died that same year from cancer. Henrique continued to live in Kitchener and spent his more senior years at Bankside Terrace Retirement Residence where he made many friends with his lively personality and spent time helping others and doing puzzles.

Henrique will be missed by his son and daughter, their spouses, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren as well as many relatives in Portugal including siblings.