Obituary of Raul Tavares Ferreira

January 4, 1935 – November 30, 2025

The family of Raul Tavares Ferreira announce the passing of his bright and gentle soul at age 90 on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Columbia Forest Long Term Care.

Lovingly remembered by wife of 65 years Maria Fatima, and by son Dr. Steven Ferreira, and daughter in law Sandra McKean-Ferreira. Survived by siblings Euclides (Carmina) Ferreira, Fernando Ferreira and Victor Ferreira (Pat). Raul is predeceased by sister Estella Schmitz.

Raul was born on January 4, 1935 on Faial Island, Azores, Portugal to Antonio Tavares Ferreira and Virginia Jesus Soares Ferreira. After Virginia's early passing, Raul and his siblings were lovingly raised by step-mother Elmira Soares Ferreira.

Raul possessed a curious and intelligent mind, and was proud to have served as Sergeant in the Portuguese Army, serving his Tour of Duty in Diu, India. He spent the first years of his retirement chronicling his army adventures in his self published biography, an accomplishment he took great pride in.

While overseas in the army, he “met” his future wife Fatima as pen pals, writing letters to one another throughout his time in India. They met in person upon Raul’s return to the Azores, whereupon they planned to marry after Raul settled in Canada with his family.

The Ferreira family emigrated to Cambridge, Ontario, Canada in the late 1950's. Raul worked hard to be ready for his upcoming marriage to Fatima. He planned to travel to Terceira Island for the wedding; however, a car accident resulting in a broken femur and extended hospital stay put a wrench in the plan. Raul and Fatima were married by proxy on September 13, 1960 via telephone with Raul in a hospital bed and Fatima in a church with her family in Terceira Island. Fatima soon joined Raul in Canada, and they worked hard to establish themselves in married life. Several years later they had their son Steven.

Raul consistently strove to further his knowledge and education at University of Waterloo and various colleges. He achieved career success in the aerospace industry working in Quality Control and precision measurement for Babcock & Wilcox, Diemaco, Raytheon, Chicopee Manufacturing and Westheights Manufacturing.

In his leisure time, Raul enjoyed 26 years of summer fun with Fatima and Steven at their trailer in Bayfield where they had a large network of friends from the Portuguese community. He had a love for sailing, spending several years sailing his boat from the Bayfield Marina. Raul and family spent many holidays exploring North America by RV, driving their own motor home, and later joining Euclides “Fred” and Carmina in their RV adventures.

Raul will always be remembered for his big smile and easy laugh, and for his deep faith in God. The family wish to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Eby House, as well as recreation and medical teams at Columbia Forest for their exceptional care and friendship they have generously shown for the past 3 years.

Visitation will take place at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo on Friday December 12, 2025 from 4 to 6 pm. Funeral service to take place in the chapel of the funeral home on Friday December 12, 2025 at 6 pm with a reception to follow in the funeral home’s Fireside Reception Room.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or to the Columbia Forest LTC Recreation Department (via the Extendicare Foundation) may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.

“We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty, we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.”  -- Poem by Vincent Moore