Fernando Dias was born Friday September 11th 1942 in the Azores, Island of Faial, town of Flamengos. Only child to Manuel Silveira Dias and Adelina Brum Dias. He grew up working his parents fields and as a shoemaker until he joined the army. He served in Terceira and Lisbon. He fell in love with Mainland Portugal and went back after he married his wife and became a Police officer in Lisbon . He immigrated with his wife, Ana Maria Antunes Baptista whom he married July 29th, 1967 and one year old daughter Cristina Maria Antunes Dias to Canada in 1972. The family grew again in 1974 with the birth of their son Nelson Fernando . When he arrived in Canada He didn’t have the English language to continue his profession so he worked in factories until he retired. He loved to grow Roses and sunflowers and garden and was known for his tomatoes as he had several different varieties always on the go at home and at his summer home in Sherkston Shores. He made wine all his life and loved his grapevine at his home in Toronto that he lived in for 45 years in Parkdale. He was a big sports fan . The Leafs, The Raptors, but his favourite was European soccer Futeball. His team was Sporting FC from Lisbon. When those games were on it was do not disturb time as he was very passionate about his team. When World Cup and the Euros were on that became more intense as he now had an Italian son in law who always cheered against him and that was always entertaining. He enjoyed his life and was an active member of the Portuguese Community and belonged to Azores Club, Amor Da Patria and lastly Asas Do Atlantico. He enjoyed dancing and socializing, playing cards and dominoes. He enjoyed going to the Festas in Oakville, Cambridge and Mississauga and travelling every winter with Gente de Nossa Tours. He vacationed regularly with his Family all over the USA by car, RV and plane. He enjoyed travelling different parts of South America, the Carribean but his favourite was always Portugal. He adored his grandchildren from daughter Cristina and son in law Rosario Di Vittorio. Salvatore, Michael, Christopher and Isabella were his pride and joy. He was at the hospital for everyone of their arrivals and spent a lot of time enjoying them especially at his cottage. He taught them all to swim, ride their bikes and have fun outdoors. He will be missed by his friends and very large extended family. They are 24 Sister and brother in laws, 39, Nieces and nephews, 33 Great nieces and nephews, and one great, great nephew. He joins his brother in laws Joao and Luis and Fred and sister in law Fernanda who recently passed four months ago to the day . He has rejoined his parents Adelina & Manuel in eternal peace He lived a very fulfilling life with his family and wife of 53 years and will now be resting in peace after an aggressive 18 month battle with AML Leukemia. The family is very thankful for the care he received at Princess Margaret hospital under Dr Tracey Murphy and her Team and to all the generous Blood, Platelet and Bone Marrow donors who gave selflessly to save him In lieu of flowers the family asks to make donations to Princess Margaret Journey to End cancer Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, Canadian Blood Service and encourage to donate if you can The family thanks everyone for their love support and encouragement through this journey. The Dias & Di Vittorio families