From Humble Beginnings to Community Pillar: The Legacy of José Eustáquio

This article is sponsored by:

For decades, a narrow stereotype painted immigrants as individuals escaping poverty with little to contribute beyond manual labor. But the truth was — and remains — far more compelling. Many of these newcomers brought with them resilience, ambition, and vision. All they needed was the right environment to thrive. In Canada, they found it. Among these immigrant stories, the journey of the Portuguese community stands out. Since the arrival of just 69 individuals in Halifax in 1953, the community has grown to over half a million strong. Some members have lived quietly, shaping their families and neighborhoods behind the scenes. Others have made lasting contributions in the cultural, social, and professional fabric of Canadian life. One of the most prominent figures among them is José Eustáquio. Born in Peniche and a Nazareno at heart, Eustáquio arrived in Canada in 1974. Even when he wasn’t actively seeking it, the Portuguese community surrounded and influenced him. So when he was elected President of the Alliance of Portuguese Clubs and Associations of Ontario (ACAPO) in 1997, it came as no surprise. Over the years, his name became inseparable from the organization. A tireless leader, advocate, and champion of Portuguese culture, José Eustáquio has carved out a legacy that has made him a legend within the community. Opinions about him may vary — some praise him, others critique — but his impact is undeniable. Admiration is something he has earned across the board. In the coming days, we will be publishing a series of articles exploring the life of José Eustáquio, drawn from a recent four-hour conversation with him. Each piece is presented in the first person, transcribed directly from José Eustáquio’s own words, to preserve the authenticity and nuance of his voice across the various topics we discussed. Once the series is complete, all the articles will be compiled into a single, comprehensive narrative. Enjoy, comment, contribute. Let’s write history together!

In the captivating narrative that unfolds, José Eustáquio unveils the tapestry of his life—woven with threads of youthful memories, the transformative journey to Canada, and his quest for independence. With unwavering honesty, he retraces the steps that shaped his character and laid the groundwork for the remarkable achievements that define his legacy. It is a story rich in authenticity, offering a profound glimpse into the essence of his being and the triumphs of his lifetime.

Disclaimer: The opinions and statements in the article that follows are those of José Eustáquio and do not represent the position or opinions of Luso Canada Media Corp. or lusocanada.com.

CHILDHOOD

“I actually think I was a mistake. It is usually a mistake when you have a second child that’s years younger. My older brother, Jack Eustáquio, is well-known in the Portuguese community. I would love to be his friend and not his brother, because he is an amazing charismatic person, and a huge Benfica fanatic. I think he is a much better person than me, to be honest. We are very different in many ways. He was born in Sítio da Nazaré in September of 1959 and I was born in Peniche in Mach of 1964. My parents are from Nazaré. How did that happen? Well, before the Porto de Abrigo (Shelter Port) was built, the bay of Nazaré was a rough and dangerous bay to enter from the ocean as boats were returning from fishing. As a fisherman, which my father was, to survive, to make a living, we went to Peniche. Historically speaking, in the 60’s and 70’s , 50% of the Nazarene population went to Peniche to live and fish until about 1974, when the Porto de Abrigo was built. We were one of those families that went to Peniche. That’s why, in essence, I came along and was born there. Though, for the record, I consider myself being from Nazaré. My heart has always been there.  

As my father was a fisherman, his passion was the open ocean. He worked hard to have his own boat and a very successful business. My father got it into his head that he wanted to live with his sisters and immigrate to be with them. His two oldest sisters initially went to France. He first went to France and then came to Canada with them and in doing so left everything behind. Me, my brother and my mother. He and his sisters eventually ended up in Toronto in 1969. Upon doing so, he eventually invited my mother and my brother to join him. They came over here in April of 1971, if I remember correctly. I stayed behind and moved back and forth between Nazaré with my maternal grandparents and Peniche with my godmother, from the age of 6 to 10 years old.

Those were the best four years of my life. I just loved it, and carry until today many amazing memories of those times and the reason why Nazaré is so predominant to me today. I loved my grandfather deeply and, when he was home in Nazaré, we were very close. He would come and fish for bacalhau of the coast Newfoundland and did so for most of his working life. He was part of the White fleet. He was a very proud and simple man who loved his family and would do anything for them. I remember going to the local tavern in the Sítio, when I was four years old, to get his daily jug of wine for my grandfather. The first thing served at the table was bread and the wine that came from the tavern. I think about him every day. I miss him. It was a very happy time.

ARRIVAL IN CANADA AND INDEPENDENCE

In January 7^th of 1974, I finally came here to be part of my family, which was my father, my mother, my brother and in addition my three aunts, sisters of my dad,  uncles and cousins all ​​on my father’s side. We lived at 168 Essex Avenue, north of Bloor and east of Ossington . On one street, there were over 18 of us, but soon after I got here, no one spoke to each other. There was such division in the family for the most part. We were raised different, separated most of the time from each other, so five years later, when I was 15 , I couldn’t survive, I wanted to fight for my independence and my education. Leaving  home seemed like the only option.

It was the 23^rd of September, 1978, if I remember correctly. It was a Friday night, first school dance of the year, grade 10. I was just starting grade 10 at Bloor Collegiate when I initially left and went on student welfare. I lived on a second floor of a deli/meat shop, across from Santo António church, on Bloor. I was dating an Italian girl, Mary Catalano, at the time. She worked at the deli, and she was able to get me the room to rent with the family above the deli.

For a long time, my dad and I didn’t get along. I didn’t have access to my parents for about two years. But I tried to visit my mother on Fridays before four, before my father got home. I spent 26 years with resentment toward my father, but when I introduced him to my son, his grandson Nicolas, many years later, I realized that my father had enormous suffering. He was a man of the sea. He lost his life to come here, to give us a better future. But he was miserable and with that, he became heavy, unfortunately. And I’ve been there. I am not going to say that I am a perfect specimen of a man. I understood, after he passed away, that he tried to do his best. He didn’t have the will and conviction that I do. He wasn’t a fighter. Many times, I fight because of the strength he gave me.

We came here to live with my father’s family. My mother had nobody here. I was considered the most unworthy in the family because I was my mother’s son, not my father’s son. Jack was my father’s son. It was what gave me courage for many years. I was the first one in the family to go to university. The first one to graduate. The name Eustáquio is known in the Portuguese community and I am not talking about the one who plays for Porto whom I love very much and admire , but the one who was here fighting for the community for many years. I value Stephen (Eustáquio), I value him a lot. But there is an Eustáquio who marked some things here. Good, bad or indifferent. It’s not that I think I’m important, but the Portuguese community, today, wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t for José Maria Eustáquio.

FINDING HIMSELF

As I said earlier, when I got here, I was living with my father’s family. It was a cold, very complicated reality. I took a lot of beatings. Physically, yes, because in those times it was normal, but the psychological part was more complicated. That’s what stays with you.

I am not a normal person; I have a complex personality. I am not going to discount the fact that it has to do with my upbringing because at some point – and I’ve had ample therapy to come to terms with my upbringing – but I understand that it has something to do with the person that I became. For instance, I have two criticisms of José Maria Eustáquio: the inability to say no, never learned it. I always say yes. Even if I can’t, I’ll try to find a way to help people. The other is that I am uncomfortable receiving. I am in control when I’m giving. I don’t accept anything from anybody. I don’t like it because as long as you’re giving, you control the situation, you control the relationship. Why? Because it allows me to distance myself from dealing with my own emotions. When I’m receiving, you will have expectations of me. If I am the one giving, there are no expectations. I am deciding, I am the one driving the vehicle. Relationships, whatever it is, I am in control.

I may come across as a cold, distant, antisocial person but, the reality is that I have the biggest heart that I know. A lot of people think I am an asshole… I agree with that completely. But there’s also a lot of people who say you’ll never meet another person better than me. So, it’s a paradox in personality, that I think only exists in places near the ocean. You can look at Nazaré or Rabo de Peixe in São Miguel, the personalities are identical.

There are many people who have been lost their entire lives. I tell you one thing…at the end of this life, when I leave this world, I will be known as a person who was lost here for 70 or 80 years, someone who tried to do something, but didn’t do anything. Where is the merit? What have I done for myself and my society?

When I was on Social welfare and I went to University, I opted not to finish my teaching degree because at the time I needed money to survive. I regret that. I always thought I’d go back to finish my degree and become a teacher. My passion was to be a High school teacher. I am here today because of my high school teachers. I would have committed suicide in grade 10 like two of my friends did. I stayed here because of Mark Williams, which was my economics teacher, Jim Scott, my American history teacher, Don Parkdale, my English Teacher, Nancy McFadden, the librarian, Jim Koral, my Geography teacher, and Barry Sketchly my principal.

You can contribute to this piece by sending us your most memorable moments related to José Eustáquio, which will publish as a complement. Send us your stories to contact@lusocanada.com or fill out our form using “José Eustáquio” as your subject.