Bakar ruled on the football field, touch people’s heart as a chef
If some people have the notion that five feet people cannot play football and cannot excel at it they are sadly mistaken .....the 5 feeters do play football and they are quite skillful at it and win hearts of many. Frank, popularly known as Bakar among his friends on the football field and in social circles, was one such Cuncolim Gymkhana, now defunct, club player at the inter village football science who did his game do the talking for him and shut the critics. He hails from the family who have sports in their genes, as children we grew up admiring his elder brother late Maxie Pinto, a Electricity department employee, and a long distance and middle distance runner who won many awards in athletics and who had a huge following among many youngsters during the late 80 and early 90’s. Maxie along with Mario Moraes, Julian Vaz, Julius Gomes were some of the athletes who excelled at the then AVCC interschool and open athletic meet held at the now 'murdered' Zulpa xett ( Cuncolim Union ground). Coming to Frank or Bakar, he was always punctual in his practice session at Cuncolim Gymkhana ground at Fondu Bhat which was held every evening and which saw young players from Velim, Ambelim, Ambaulim, Balli, Fatorpa and even Chinchinim come for the training session.
Bakar was dam serious about his practice sessions but added a bit of humour to the sessions when everything seemed to be becoming dull.
Off the field, Bakar's one line always kept his friends and family in good spirits and he was one of the most sought after person at gettogethers and parties.
His good humour matched with his generous nature and he was ready to reach out deep into his pocket to help the poor and needy and sometimes the 'greedy politicians of his area'. He did not complain or grumble.
Away from sports and his philanthropic nature, Bakar was chef and reached the heart of many guests on the cruising ships he worked for many years.
Cuncolim, Dandora and Goa's football community will miss this generous, helpful, jovial and happy go lucky man Bakar.
Rest in peace my friend, Condolences to the family.
The call came too early....but when God desires no one has the say
Condolences my Chowgule College friend and his brother in law Feli Menezes
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