Alvaro Collaço. London, Ex-Entebbe, Uganda
31st December 2024, London. Alvaro Collaço husband of the Late Afra, father of Avelino (Marjorie), Alina, Annabel, Anita (Dennis), and grandfather of Laura, Daniel, Danielle, Joelle and Joe, passed away peacefully in London on 31st December.
Born in Uganda, he studied in Goa and Poona and then returned to Uganda where he worked in the Ministry of Finance until 1973 as the Head of Finance, responsible for the national infrastructure budget. He came to the UK where he continued working for the civil service until retirement from the British Council in 1992. He was credited by the organisation for having improved the lives of thousands of people through technical education across all the countries he managed.
His retirement was dedicated to many voluntary activities, whilst enjoying family time and trips to Goa, where he supported numerous benevolent causes. He campaigned tirelessly to secure pensions for widows expelled from Uganda and after more than a decade of persistence with the government, he succeeded in obtaining their back-dated index-linked payments – life changing sums that significantly improved their quality of life, in countries such as UK, Canada, Australia, USA and Mauritius.
Alvaro Collaço played an active role in the G.O.A. (UK) for many years and was Chairman of their Council of Management from 1983 to 1986. He was instrumental in the acquisition of the G.O.A. clubhouse in Beckenham in 1983 and in setting up the former Standing Conference of Goan Organisations (SCOGO), now known as the GOAN festival, from its’ origins.
He was awarded the Papal Benemerenti Medal for his lifelong services to the Church. Alvaro was also recognised for his years of contribution to the G.O.A. and many other organisations. He will also be greatly remembered for his establishment of the Uganda Reunion.
Condolences to acollaco@ukgateway.net
