elevated I94jc January 10, 1933 ~ November 1 ,2025

elevated I94jc Funeral Service 
Friday, November 7, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. 
Assumption Catholic Funeral Home Chapel
6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4     

elevated I94jc Burial
Assumption Catholic Cemetery
6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4     

elevated I94jc Joaquim “Jack” Gomes was born in Cadaval, Portugal, roughly 70 km northeast of Lisbon, on January 10, 1933. The 1930s were difficult times in Portugal, with nearly 70% of the population classified as illiterate.  Jack was bright, and very proud that he was one of the few children in his town to complete primary schooling. At a time when most Portuguese were farmers cultivating the land, Jack leveraged his education and entrepreneurial spirit to work as a “middleman”. He used his math skills to facilitate the purchase and sale of agricultural products between his region and the Atlantic coast, about 40 km west. Jack loved his job and often stated that those years were the happiest of his life.

elevated I94jc Jack married Guilhermina (deceased in 2005) in February 1959, and their only child Carlos (Irene) was born in April of the following year. Like for many at that time, the prospects of a better life in Canada called to the young couple, as being a “middleman” was not as lucrative as anticipated.   With Guilhermina’s brother already living in Canada, Jack was convinced to give it a try. Jack left Portugal on April 25, 1966 for Thompson, Manitoba.  A nickel-mining city, approximately 800 km north of Winnipeg, moving to one of the coldest places in Canada was a challenge. However, warmth arrived to him when Guilhermina and Carlos joined him in late 1967 (Canada’s centennial year). They worked hard, saved as much as possible, and always planned to return to their beloved Portugal. In 1972, they moved to Mississauga, where the family purchased their first home.  This sparked an interest in real estate for the couple, who then purchased additional properties, both in Canada and Portugal.

elevated I94jc Jack and Guilhermina both had “whatever it takes” determination to succeed in their new country, and were able to build a comfortable life for their family.  However, Jack was more of a schemer, likely stemming from sales tactics developed during his “middleman” years. He loved to tell stories, but one was often left wondering if one was hearing the “full truth”. 

elevated I94jc Jack worked as a labourer in Canada and retired at the age of 60. Together with Guilhermina, they spent summers in Portugal at their beach house, not far from their hometown. In 1997, Jack and Guilhermina became grandparents to their only grandchild, Adam. After her death, Jack continued to spend summers at the beach house until his health began to deteriorate in 2017. With the diagnosis of dementia in 2019, his health began to noticeably decline.  The day before his 90th birthday, Jack moved into Cawthra Gardens LTC, where he was lovingly cared for until his passing.

elevated I94jc In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Trillium Health Partners Foundation.