Manuel Gaspar

Bateu a bota o meu amigo Manuel Gaspar.

Depois de um periodo de luta ingloria, de estadia dentro e fora do hospital, da casa de recuperacao, perdeu a luta com a morte. Partiu. Era um amigo de longa data de boemia e alegria. Um individuo que ao longo dos anos lutou por uma comunidade melhor. com a radio, e com as organizacoes. Colaborei com ele muitas vezes nas varias estacoes de radios. Tive o prazer de ser mestre de cerimonias em varias das festas da Hora da Saudade. Manuel Gaspar continuava a ser uma peca de grande valor. Mas a idade nao perdoa e o abuso fisico mais tarde se junta ao fim.

Beba um copo por mim e descanse em PAZ

GASPAR, Manuel

Manuel Gaspar, 86, of Newington, died peacefully on Tuesday, (October 29, 2013), with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband for 59 years of Amelia (Pina) Gaspar. Born August 4, 1927, in Murtede, Cantanhede, Portugal, he immigrated to the United States in June 1954. He resided in Hartford before moving to Newington and was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hartford. He was a member of the Portuguese Club of Hartford since June 1954; secretary of the General Assembly Portuguese Club of Hartford, 1959; president of the General Assembly Portuguese Club of Hartford, 1971; secretary of the Association of Portuguese Clubs of Connecticut, at the time “English Field Day”, 1970-71-72; and chairman of the board, Portuguese Club of Hartford, 1980. He was also a member of the Portugese Clubs of Waterbury, Chicopee, Holy Cross, and Benfica Club. In Portugal, Manuel was goalkeeper of National Champions Benfica Juniors, 1945; Desportivo do Montijo Club, 1948-49-50; Sport Lisboa e Olivais, 1951-1952, 2nd Division; Nacional de Sao Paulo Brazil, 1955, 1st Division; and Desportivo Marialves de Cantanhede, 1960-1965. In the United States, he was goalkeeper of Brokatein Galicia Brooklyn, NY, 1955; Gremio Lusitano Ludlow, MA, 1956; Italian American Stars Hartford, 1959 “CT State Champions”; Ukrainian Club of Hartford, 1960, “CT State Champions”. He was the Coach of Hartford Portuguese Club, 1965; and Vasco da Gama Bridgeport, 1979, “CT Champions First Division” and Amateur Cup Finalist of America, game played at Giants Stadium, NJ. Manuel was the founder of the first Portuguese radio program in CT, “Vozes de Portugal”, 1958, with Antonio Joaquim Pires and Mario Costa Gomes. He was the founder of a Portuguese radio program with wife Amelia Gaspar, “Hora da Saudade”, 1961 – 1986, for 25 years of programing. He was also the founder of a Portuguese television program, “Hora da Saudade Radio e Televisao”, 1986, Channel 13. He was the promoter and presenter of films and concerts, 1951 – 1991, and famous Portuguese artists such as: Tony de Matos, Francisco Jose, Simone de Oliveira, Fernando Farinha, Tristao de Silva, Roberto Lial, Marco Paulo, Antonio Mauro and Amalia Rodrigues. Manuel Gaspar was responsible for fundraising activities that raised thousands of dollars through the radio program “Hora ds Saudade” on behalf of many Portuguese personal tragedies, social groups activities and victims of the floods on the outskirts of Lisbon, Portugal in 1967. He was decorated by the President of the Portuguese Republic Dr. Mario Soares to the order of charitable good. A loving and devoted father and grandfather, he leaves two sons, Daniel Gaspar and his wife Maria of South Glastonbury, and Mario Gaspar of Hartford; and a daughter Angela Pace and her husband Chez of Newington; five grandchildren, Daniel and Jordan Gaspar, and Chez-Christopher, Alexander and Gabriella Pace. He also leaves a brother Ginesio Gaspar in Portugal; several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by a sister Isabel Ricardo. Our husband and father loved his family and friends unconditionally. He was not just our father, but he was our “Daddy” and our best friend. As a Portuguese immigrant, he sacrificed much to provide us all with incredible support and comfort. We always had what we needed and more, and he encouraged us to pursue our dreams. Our dad instilled an attitude to live and enjoy life with passion and spirit. Dad loved his wife Amelia. Our amazing mother has been the rock and the backbone of our family. Our father could not have had a better wife and we could not have had a better mother. She is our angel. He passed away peacefully, with courage, class and dignity, which is the way he lived his life. His family would like to express its deepest gratitude for the love and exceptional care provided by the staff of the Jefferson House and St. Francis Hospital.
Manuel’s funeral service will begin on Monday, Nov. 4, at 9 a.m. at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hartford. He will be laid to rest in West Meadow Cemetery, Newington. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. at Newington Memorial. A Seventh Day Mass will be celebrated on November 5th at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 1 Fatima Square, Hartford. To share a memory with his family, please visit us at www.newingtonmemorial.com. We encourage those who respected and admire our dad to raise a glass of wine and honor him with a cheer.

Hartford, CT October 2013