James René Carrega

James René Carrega passed peacefully from this life on Oct 19th, 2022 after a brief illness. He was supported by his loving family during the last days of his life. James was born in New Amsterdam, Guyana on June 18th, 1925. He and his late wife Veronica & family immigrated to Canada in 1977. James is survived by his children René (Gloria), André (Karen), Desirée (Marcel) and Trevor (Deceased). Adored grandfather of 5: - Amanda, Ryan, Chauntelle, Adrian, Deanne (Deceased), and 6 great grandchildren: - Nathan, Olivia, Sedona, Meghan, Olivia and Gabriella.

James is also survived by his siblings Doris, Othmar, Agnes, Evelyn, John & Michael. Siblings deceased Mervyld, Lionel, Sydney, Dolly, Norman & Compton.

In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation to a charity of your choice in honour of James René Carrega. The Funeral service will be available via livestream on Wednesday October 26, 2022 at 10:00 A.M by visiting https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/62988

Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima - Eulogy delivered by André.

Dad’s Eulogy

Good morning, I am James’s 2nd son Andre and will be delivering our father’s Eulogy. Today, dad is finally resting in a better place, with Our dear Mother Veronica and his youngest child Trevor.

JACOBUS Rene Carrega…. Aka James, Jim, Jimmy, Jimbo...

Born in New Amsterdam, British Guiana, 1925

Parents Edward Carrega & Ivy Kathleen Best from Suriname. Dad was the eldest of 9 siblings and his extended siblings 3 brothers and a sister. He Departed this life Oct 19th, 2022 after a brief illness. What do we know about James…….

I guess in one sentence, he was a private and humble man with a calm demeanor. He was also a father of 4, Grandfather of 5 and Great Grandfather of 6. As a young boy, after successfully graduating from Berbice High school, dad worked as a junior surveyor in the “Bush” (as he put it) or otherwise known the interior of Guyana. I believe he was there during his mother’s passing in her early 1940s. A few years later his father passed. So at a young age, dad was a “Provider” to his family then and now. He was married to our mother Mary Veronica Bento for 62 years … who passed 11 years ago. In 1958, the family travelled to England to pursue his studies in Quantity Surveying. Upon completion, he returned to Guyana in 1963, where he worked for the Ministry of Works & Hydraulics. After some years of service, he was promoted to the top position before retiring in 1975 at the age of 50. I guess, Freedom 50 was his goal like many others. He later started his own business in the same field…known as.

J. R Carrega & Associates Quantity Surveyors & Construction Cost Consultants.

Dad had a brilliant mind and was passionate in discussions on Buildings & Construction. I know he had many such discussions with his close friend & buddy Dennis Yhap, whom he worked with on numerous initiatives in Guyana.

I remember so many times as a young boy going with him on construction sites to assess and determine “The Material & Labour” costs for various construction jobs.

In addition to the work at the Ministry, his most significant accomplishment was likely the construction & build of University Of Guyana. In 1977, as the political tensions in Guyana intensified and National Service was in its infancy, the family immigrated to Canada. A new & uncertain beginning, primarily initiated by our mother with a vision to provide better opportunities for her children.

Of course, it meant a real struggle for our parents like so many immigrants - no Canadian experience, and therefore accepting low level jobs in factories including shift work. Dad as a qualified Quantity Surveyor in the British system struggled to land an equivalent job in Canada. He dabbled in many jobs including being a Realtor at CAMDEC during very difficult recessionary times. Dad finally landed a job at Kawneer where he worked for many years until his retirement.

Despite all the challenges, in 1978 the family bought a modest home on Brimley and the family lived there for 44 years. As I reflect on the past as I have done so many times, I can honestly say "MOM & DAD, YOU HAVE TRULY ENRICHED OUR LIVES & MANY OTHERS AND PROVIDED US WITH OPPORTUNITIES ALL POSSIBLE BY THE SACRIFICES YOU MADE...FOR THAT WE SAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WILL ALWAYS APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR US!"

So other than napping, to which DAD WAS A MASTER, He enjoyed many things. He loved mechanics. Always fixing broken electrical and mechanical appliances at home or mechanical problems on his car or his friends cars. He also loved playing Dominoes and Cards – specifically Bridge. Each week, a group of his buddies rotated “bridge night” at their homes. His good friend Al Singh and Fred Debidin can attest to it. He was truly a student of the game. Adjacent to his lazyboy were so many Bridge books which he studied like an exam.

Dad was not the athletic type. although as a boy he seemed to imply he was.

However, he was a very good Billiards & Snooker player. He was the Guyana National Avon Champion in 1968 and 2nd Championship in 1975 playing for the Georgetown Football Club where he was a member. A few months prior to his passing, my dear wife Karen took him down to the basement at The Retirement Residences to play pool. He kept saying "no, I don’t want to play" but Karen was having none of it and convinced him to play. As you watched the old man approach the table, you could see the bounce in his step & the enthusiasm as he picked up the pool cue, chalked the tip and leaned over the table as if to say…Watch me now! I should say, the fact dad had not picked up a cue in 20 or more years, I was pleasantly surprised...he still had that magic touch.

He went on to pocket 6 balls in a row as Karen kept cheering him on.

Dad never flinched or raised his head, it was the old Jimmy doing what he does best. Dad also gave his time to worthy events and organizations. He was one of the original 30 Charter Members when the Toronto Kaiteur Lions Club was chartered in 1991. He was elected to The Board of Directors and remained there for several years serving in many positions including Treasurer 1996-1998.

Lion Jim received several awards including, Melvin Jones Fellowship- the highest award a club can bestow on one of its members and was one of the first members of the club to be made a Life Member of Lions Clubs International. In closing, I would like to give special thanks to my sister Desiree & partner Marcel for caring for him at their home these past 3 years. My wife Karen, who has always included him in everything. Even in his dying bed, two days prior to his passing, she changed the somber music at his bedside to an upbeat soca rhythm and had dad raise his finger to acknowledge he liked the music despite his eyes firmly closed.

Finally, to all of you for attending this service, family and friends around the world for your kind words and support to the family...THANK YOU