João Antunes Figueira

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather just shy of his 88th birthday. João passed away peacefully, with loved ones by his side on Thursday February 6, 2025, at Sunnybrook Hospital after a brief and difficult battle with an aggressive form of cancer.

João will be profoundly missed by his loving wife Lidia (Reis) of 61 years and his two adoring sons Dean (Alesandra) and Alan (Jennifer). A dearly loved Avô to his five grandchildren Daniel, Andrew, Gabriela, Ethan and Emily; all of whom made his face light up whenever he saw them or spoke about them. He is also survived by his brother Antonio and several loving nieces and nephews.

João is pre-deceased by his parents Querido and Isaura (Antunes De Jesus) Figueira, his brothers Jacinto and Armindo (Toronto) and his sisters Maria, Gertrudes and Julia, all of Maxieira, Fátima, Portugal.

João was born on March 24, 1937, in Maxieira, Fátima, Portugal. As a young man in Portugal, João loved to go to the clubs and dance, and he enjoyed dancing up until his last days, even in the hospital. In 1958 he joined the army, as was mandatory in Portugal, and began his career waiting tables, in the mess hall. After the army he decided to take a course in hospitality where he learned the skills that made him so successful in his profession. In 1963, he married the love of his life, Lidia and in 1964 he immigrated to Canada to begin their new life together. Over the years João worked as an exceptional waiter at several restaurants in and around Toronto; Walker House Hotel, Captain John’s, Frank Joseph Room, Whaler’s Wharf, Constellation Hotel, Covati’s, Cossacks, Wellington’s, and Ascot 27 Hotel. In 1977 João, with his two brothers, Armindo and Antonio, opened their very own Restaurant, Vasco Da Gama.

João was always willing to help those in need and asked for nothing in return. He loved spending time with friends and family, especially his five grandchildren. João was hard-working and disciplined, with a strong sense of loyalty and moral ethics. He loved geography and reading to books to learn different facts about countries. He enjoyed watching political shows regarding both the US and Canada, watching old films on tv and telling stories about all the interesting people he met and served during his long hospitality career.

We would like to express our deep gratitude for the outstanding care and direction of Dr. Urban Emmenegger, Dr. Stanley Liu, Dr. Jennifer Moore, Dr. Maya Hartman and the staff at the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre. As well as the excellent compassionate care of Dr. Selby and the nurses in the Sunnybrook Palliative Care Unit who cared for João during his final days.

Friends and family will be received at the Delmoro Funeral Home, 61 Beverly Hills Dr., Toronto, On, Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 5-9pm.

He will be cremated and a private service for immediate family will take place later.

The family asks you to consider a donation to the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.