Romeo Mendes was born on 4th June 1949. He acted on the Konkani stage as Star of Assonora at the age of 12 in Ernest Rebello's Bombaintli Istyle. He was born in Goa but was brought up in Bombay at Kemps Corner. He got married to Konkani stage actress Antonette on the 22nd of Jan 1966. He is survived by his three daughters, Judy, June & Lara. Two of them are already
married. He has 3
grandchildren. He had released seven cassettes like Jivit Ek Sopon, Vailankini Saibinn, Pad Agnel, Best of Romeo Mendes, Nektre Indiachem, Rosacho Dis, and Ek Dis. These cassettes featured the voices of topmost film stars speaking in Konkani like Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Hema Malini, Salman Khan and Govinda.There is also a song on Vailankini Saibin sung by Vijayeta Pandit.
He was a TV personality. Romeo Mendes had to his credit songs on late prime ministers, Indira Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru which was picturised by the film division of India and telecast by Bombay Doordarshan besides a tribute song to late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi which was telecast by Goa Doordarshan. The last cassette produced by him was Lorna with love.
He also produced many Doordarshan shot films like 'Festachi Bhet', 'Amchi Natalam' and many more.
He produced and released cassettes of Jr. Rod, Kid Young Rod, Rosary Ferns, H. Britton, Agnello D'Costa, Joe Rose and Lorna.
He was the proprietor of Happy Home Garage at Worli, Mumbai.
He was the founder and president of the Maharashtra Konkani Kala Sanstha (MKS). He actively participated in order for this mission to run smoothly and successfully.
He sang his last song on the cassette of his son-in-law Jose Rod which is still not yet released, but shall be released shortly.
He was admitted in Aradhna Hospital on the 22nd of August 1999 for severe chest pain. From there he was shifted to Lilawati Hospital because of very low Blood Pressure. He was in critical condition. He was in SICU throughout. He underwent Heart Bypass operation on the 6th September 1999 which was successful but had to be under observation for 72 hours. He did not respond after the operation. He died of cardiogenic shock and cardiac failure.He passed away on the 10th of September at 5.30 a.m. IST.
The death of Romeo Mendes was a big shock to everyone especially to his dear family and of course to the KMS of which he was the founder.
He was always helpful to everyone who approached him. He never said no to anyone. In the earlier days it was Romeo Mendes who used to help all the artists going to perform in the Gulf with their immigration. Nothing was impossible for him to do. He was a very influential man and he went out of his way to help people in whatever way he could.
May his soul rest in peace and may all his unfulfilled dreams be fulfilled. May God also give his wife and family the strength to face such a big loss.
(Input courtesy: Janet Mendonca)