22nd January 1942 – 5th June 2026
Vincent Leslie de Lima (Les) was born on 22nd January 1942 in Kisumu Kenya, the first child of Wences and Annie de Lima, respectively from Tivim and Siolim, Goa. He was the first of five siblings and was followed by Joan Doris and Theresa Ethel also born in in Kisumu; the family then moved to Nairobi, following which in due course, Victor and then Althea were born.
Leslie’s primary schooling was at the Catholic Parochial School, and his secondary school was Dr Ribeiro Goan School, both in Nairobi. Leslie’s father was in the colonial Kenya Civil Service, and he was transferred back to Kisumu in 1958 so that after completing schooling, Les returned to the town of his birth.
He was employed in a clerical administrative post in the Ministry of Works in Kisumu where he worked from 1959 through Kenya’s independence up to 1968, when he emigrated to the UK to live in London. There he worked in logistics with British Rail Freightliners for the next 45 years, much of it on nightshift.
As a young man, Les was an active social member of the Kisumu Goan community and played hockey and football with the Kisumu GI. He could often be seen around town giving family or friends precarious lifts on his Lambretta scooter! He was an active member of St Joseph’s Church, Milimani, which the family attended, and he had a circle of friends from all sections of society. After coming to the UK he demonstrated the diligent work ethic instilled by his upbringing, and established his niche in society.
In 1974, Les married Nellie (da Costa), formerly from Nairobi, and the couple were blessed with the birth of their daughter Valerie in 1976, and their son Kevin in 1982. Les and Nellie originally lived in Kilburn and later in North Wembley, London. Les was very much a fun-loving family man – a beloved son, a devoted husband and father, and a loving brother, brother-in-law and uncle. He enjoyed music (especially reggae), travel (especially visiting family in Britain and abroad), and he maintained a lifelong interest in football. When Valerie, and later Kevin. married, he was very pleased to become father-in-law to Joe, and to Emily, and was overjoyed when his grandson Owen was born two years ago. He was always an active member of his community in London, and later in Great Kingshill, Buckinghamshire where he and Nellie relocated to live in 2022.
Les was diagnosed with a very serious cancer in 2023. During the next three years he demonstrated great faith, fortitude and a positive attitude as he underwent treatment, amazing everyone around him, including his medical professionals, with his resilience. Very sadly he succumbed to the condition and passed away peacefully at home on 5th June 2026. He leaves a huge gap in many lives and will always be remembered with great love, affection and respect by all his family and friends.
May he rest in eternal peace.
