Joao (John) Leonardo Rebelo Pereira
elevated zCzN6 April 11, 1946 – December 15, 2025
elevated zCzN6 Visitation
Thursday December 18, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm
elevated zCzN6 Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated zCzN6 Funeral Mass – Chapel of St. Joseph (within the Funeral Home)
Friday December 19, 2025 at 9am
elevated zCzN6 Entombment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, ON, L3T 2C7
elevated zCzN6 Reception (Within the Funeral Home)
Following the Entombment
elevated zCzN6 Obituary
Joao (John) Leonardo Rebelo Pereira
elevated zCzN6 It is with profound sadness that the family announces the passing of Joao Leonardo Rebelo Pereira (also known affectionately as John), who passed away peacefully on Monday, December 15, 2025, at his home in Thornhill, Ontario, at the age of 79.
elevated zCzN6 Joao is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Maria Fatima Pereira. He was the loving and cherished father of Lucy (Jay), Veronica (Steve), and Moses, and the proud and doting grandfather of Tristan (Danna), Ethan, and Chloe. His immense love for his wife, children, and especially his grandchildren, who were his biggest joys, was the cornerstone of his life.
elevated zCzN6 Joao was a man of extraordinary strength and resilience, who fought many illnesses with courage and grace. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the compassionate care teams at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, St. John’s Rehabilitation, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, Southlake Regional Health Centre, and Mackenzie Health for their dedicated support and exceptional care throughout the years.
elevated zCzN6 Joao was born on April 11, 1946, in Pico da Pedra, Sao Miguel, Azores. He was the third child of the late Henrique Pereira and late Maria da Conceicao Pereira. He was the loving brother of Olga, the late Indorinha, the late Valdemira and the late Mario.
elevated zCzN6 In 1972, he bravely immigrated to Canada, where he built a beautiful life for his family. He dedicated his professional life to the construction field, eventually working as a skilled crane operator.
elevated zCzN6 A man of immense social warmth and endless energy, Joao had an infectious zest for life and was known by all who met him as the biggest prankster with a talent for telling a great joke. He cultivated a wide circle of friends at Musselman’s Lake, within his local community, and through the various groups he was affiliated with.
elevated zCzN6 Joao’s passions were as vibrant as his personality. He found peace in his garden, meticulously caring for his plants and trees, and took great pride in his craft of woodworking. He also spent many joyful hours pursuing his unique hobby and love of breeding birds.
elevated zCzN6 He will be dearly missed by his many nieces, nephews, and cousins spanning Bermuda, the U.S., Portugal, and Canada.
elevated zCzN6 He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, hard work, and unconditional love that will continue to inspire his family and his many friends. He will be deeply missed and always loved and remembered.
elevated zCzN6 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joao’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society
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Veronica: My sincerest condolences to you and your entire family. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. May his memory always be a blessing.
Dear Lucy and entire family, so sorry to hear of your beloved Father’s passing. May he rest in eternal peace and forever live in your hearts.
Veronica: Our Deepest Condolences to you and the family. I know he was a big part of your life, but he’s in a better place now and not suffering. May you all still remember the laughter and memories you had with him. Hugs and kisses and strength
Veronica, Steve, Lucy and family
We wish we could be there in person to give you a big hug.
We are so sorry for your loss and want to extend our condolences to you all.
We are sure your Father Father-in-law and Grandfather was a great man who will be missed.
We hope you’re able to find peace and comfort through the beautiful memories you hold close to your hearts.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you 🙏😘
Anna and Sergio
Fatima and family so sorry for your loss it came so sudden and shocking I just left him Saturday where he wished me a nice weekend as always humorous as always allow me to leave smiling
John may soul rest in peace You are missed
Your laughing PSW
Please accept my deepest sympathy as you navigate this tough time. I’ll always remember Sr Joao’s kindness and humor. He was a wonderful man who brought joy to everyone he met at cedar beach. May his soul rest in peace.
Our sincerest condolences to the entire Pereira families.
John was a beautiful human being. May he rest in eternal peace and may his memories live forever in your hearts. Love the Marchesano’s. ❤️🙏🏻
Dear Lucy, Veronica and families, what a beautiful story of your dad, it shows what a remarkable person he was, he leaves behind a beautiful legacy to be proud of. May he rest in peace and may God grant you all strength and peace 🕊️ 🕊️🕊️ Condolences to you all 🙏❤️
Dear Lucy, Teresa and I send our deepest condolences to you and your family .
Our thoughts and prayers with you all.
May he rest in peace.
Dear Veronica & Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family during this heartbreaking time. I hope the love you share as a family and the many wonderful memories you hold of your Dad bring you comfort and strength, along with the support of those who care about all of you.
My condolences to the whole Pereira family. 🙏 My thoughts and prayers are with you.
May he rest in peace.
Dear Lucy,
I was so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.