Acacio de Oliveiro Santos

Acacio was predeceased by his loving Wife, Maria Eugenia of 71 years. His parents, Brother Jack, and Sister Maria Sao Jose.

Acacio is survived by his son John (Darlene) daughter Lina (Leo) and grandchildren Melissa (Graham), Deidre, Chris (Shelby) and Brittaney (Neil). Acacio also had eight great-grandchildren, Olive, Callan, Wally, Emmett, Lily, Rose, Norah and Remi. He is survived by his Sister, Margarida of Portugal, numerous Brother in Laws, Sister in Laws, Nieces, and Nephews, both In Canada and in Portugal.

Acacio was born in the small town of Casal Novo Portugal to Antonio Feijao and Albertina da Conceicao on September 5, 1929, and was the eldest of four children.

Acacio had many jobs and life experiences prior to coming to Canada, He joined the army in Portugal and after he became a farmer. While he loved his home and country, he always wanted to go to Canada and make a better life for himself and his family; and that is exactly what he did. Acacio arrived in Canada in May 1957, as part of the first wave of Portuguese immigrants, carrying a few personal belongings, no knowledge of the land, language or people. He was employed by CN railway in northern Alberta and worked for the company taking all opportunities to learn the language and the Canadian way of life. After CN, he learned how to weld and grind metal on the job. He worked for an electroplating company in Edmonton. This was the springboard into his own family business in Saskatoon, where with his wife Maria, they would collect and repair metal automotive bumpers and send to Winnipeg to be electroplated and sold to the automotive industry in Saskatoon. He was then offered a job managing the largest exchange bumper facility in Western Canada. But his dreams continued and in Sept 1973, he started his own company, along with his son John in Winnipeg, becoming a successful owner of bumper remanufacturing, plating and chrome business in Winnipeg. Acacio was a smart businessman, and he had a talent for understanding the stock markets and kept a close eye on his investments.

Acacio lived what most understand as the Canadian Dream, he paved the way for other family members in Portugal to come to Canada, he helped them immigrate by sponsoring them, find housing and employment for them as well. He was generous with his family, and he always tried to help family out in whatever way he could.

Acacio and Maria were fortunate to travel often and extensively through out Europe, Canada and the US. Although Acacio loved Canada they enjoyed many trips back to Portugal to visit their family.

In 1989 Acacio purchased an old cottage at Falcon Lake MB, he saw the overgrown property and had a vision of a place where he could go to escape the city and enjoy his surroundings. The cottage was always a place of pride for Acacio, and he loved to spend time there. One of his favorite things about the cottage was watching his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have fun and play in the water. He loved to fish at the lake and was overjoyed when he caught his first large fish and became and won an award of Master Angler in Manitoba.

His grandchildren were his pride and joy. He always made sure that his grandchildren were given every opportunity particularly with education and started investing in their future by setting up education accounts when each of them was born. He was very proud of all his grandchildren and what they had accomplished in life, through their hard work.

Acacio worked hard throughout his life, it was one of the many lessons he taught those he loved. He lived a long full life with many adventures, experiences and achievements. He was the patriarch of his family, a trailblazer, an entrepreneur, a hard worker and the epitome of the Canadian dream. He was loved and respected by many, and he will be missed.

Acacio loved his Portuguese Red Wine, he would simply have liked if you raised a glass in his memory. “Cheers, Saude, to a Life well Lived “

As per his wishes there will be a private family service and celebration of Life.

Thank you to all the staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, for the special care he received. Special thank you to Leanne Milne. We are grateful.

Thank you to all the staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, for the special care he received. Special thank you to Leanne Milne. We are grateful.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Acacio and Maria’s name to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.