Mangaloreans of New Zealand remember Wilfy

Mangalore Today News Network

March 22: The New Zealand fans of Wilfy Rebimbus offered a requiem mass for his soul at St Mary’s Church, Avondale, Auckland on March 20. 

Fr. Ephrem Tigga and Fr Jerome D’Souza concelebrated the mass. Fr. Jerome lauded the selfless struggle of Wilfy to spread the love of Konkani language. He urged the congregation to pray for Wilfy’s grieving family. 

After the mass, Sangeetha Sequiera, Vera Barboza, Nita Pinto, and Fr Ephrem paid their tributes to Wilfy Rebimbus. 

Lovingly referring to Wilfy Rebimbus as “Uncle Wilfy,” Sangeetha, who is Wilfy’s neighbor, recalled her childhood memories of Wilfy and his family. She remembered how she would play with Wilfy’s children while the singer would sit in the garden composing songs. 

Nita Pinto spoke about the excitement of attending a Wilfy Nite in Mangalore during her childhood days. She also spoke of how Mangaloreans took Wilfy with them in their hearts even when they left Mangalore and sought greener pastures abroad. She expressed her hope that the family would continue his good work. 

Fr. Ephrem, a Capuchin priest from Orissa, who was in Mangalore for his novitiate, recollected the excitement of attending a Wilfy Nite and said that he will never forget Wilfy’s voice. 

Edward proposed the vote of thanks. A fellowship programme followed the requiem mass.