Father Leslie was born in the city Karachi, India (which later became Pakistan) on August 5, 1932. He attended Catholic schools in Karachi where English was spoken. From high school he went on to the Seminary and was ordained Priest from the Archdiocese of Karachi in Pune, India on June 1st, 1956. He taught at the St Paul’s English High School and became it’s head in 1973.
He attended the Urbanian University, in Rome, Italy and (1969) received the J.C.D. in July 1969. He was a professor at Christ the King seminary in Karachi for three years (1966-1969). One of his proudest accomplishments was one of his students was appointed Cardinal in June, 2018, Joseph Coutts of Pakistan. He completed his Ph.D in Education from Fordham University, New York in May 1981. He taught in Rome and while there met Saint Mother Terese. He was a Professor of Canon Law at Fordham University in New York. He joined the Navy in 1986 as a Chaplain. He served in the Navy from 1986 until January 1997.
His assignments were the Trident Training Facilty at NBK Bangor, Naval Regional Medical Center, Bremerton, Reykjavik, Iceland, Group 9 at NBK Bangor, Okinawa, Japan and was discharged from the US Navy in Guam in 1997.
He returned to the Pacific NW and during his career as priest, he served as a priest for the Holland America Cruise Ships and assisted Archbishop John Cuneen in the Archdiocese of Christchurch, New Zealand for the next 20 years. During that period Fr. Leslie lived with Richard and Linda Waite in Poulsbo, Wa. for 6 months of each year. He retired in 2016 and moved to Stafford Suites Assisted Living in Port Orchard, Washinton, USA. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a 4th Degree Knight.
Funeral arrangements through Miller Woodlawn, Bremerton, Wa. Services will be on Dec. 5, 2018 at Our Lady Star of the Sea, 500 Veneta Ave, Bremerton, Wa. 10:30am Rosary, Mass at 11:00 with reception lunch following. Memorials can be made to www.stjude.org/donate.
Life Story:
Father Leslie was born in the city Karachi, India (which later became Pakistan) on August 5, 1932. He was the second son of Rose and John Colaço who were Portuguese Catholics. Rose was a teacher and John was an accountant. They raised their two sons, Ronald (born 1929) and Leslie and who both became ordained Catholic priests. His parents were born on the island where Saint Xavier is buried, Goa, India. His grandparents moved to Goa as Missionaries. One of Father Leslie’s favorite memories was of his brother’s ordination. Father Ronnie played the organ at the Cathedral in Karachi. His Mother, Rose coordinated a pilgrimage to Lourdes where his favorite rosary was from.
Father Leslie attended Catholic schools in Karachi where English was spoken. From high school he went on to the Seminary and was ordained from the Archdiocese of Karachi in Pune, India on June 1st, 1956. He taught at the St Paul’s English High School and became head in 1973.
He became a priest in 1956 at the age of 23. He attended the Urbanian University, in Rome, Italy and received the J.C.D. in July 1969. He was a professor at the Christ the King seminary in Karachi for three years. One of his students, appointed Cardinal in June, 2018, Joseph Coutts of Pakistan, was a student of his at the seminary in Karachi. He completed his Ph.D. in Education from Fordham University, New York in May 1981 while also serving in various New York Parishes. He taught in Rome and while there met Saint Mother Teresa in the waiting room for the Pope. He was a Professor of Canon Law at Fordham University in New York and served at the parish of Mother of Confidence and Holy Trinity El Cajon until he joined the Navy in 1986 as a Chaplain. He served in the Navy from 1986 until January 1997.
Duty Stations: Father joined the Navy in San Diego, Ca in March, 1986 and served as Lieutenant until January, 1997. His first assignment was at the Trident Training Facility at NBK Bangor, and then at the Naval Regional Medical Center, Bremerton. He spent two years at Reykjavik, Iceland and after returned to Group 9 at NBK Bangor. Later he was stationed at Okinawa, Japan and was discharged from the US Navy in Guam in 1997. He returned to the Pacific NW and during his career as priest, he served as a priest for the Holland America Cruise Ships and assisted Archbishop John Cuneen in the Archdiocese of Christchurch, New Zealand for 6 months each year for the next 20 years. During that period Fr. Leslie lived with Richard and Linda Waite in Poulsbo, Washington for 6 months of each year. He said mass at the NBK Bangor Chapel when requested. He retired in 2016 and moved to Stafford Suites Assisted Living in Port Orchard, Washington, USA, where he resided until November 20.
Father Leslie loved dogs and as a young boy, his family always had dogs. He came from a wealthy family who had servants that assisted with the domestic chores. Father loved to travel, some of his favorite places were Molokai, Hawaii and visiting friends in Hawaii, New York, Canada and Norway. He was always active in sports, he played hockey, cricket and soccer and was an avid racquetball player. He was a member of the Knights
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18