Casmiro Francis Saldanha
4th of March 1931 – 30 January 2026
known to his friends and family as Francis was born on the 4th of March 1931 in Nakuru, Kenya to Patrick and Lily Saldanha. Francis received his education at Dr Ribeiro Goan school in Nairobi and St Paul’s School in Belgaum. He passed away in London on 30 January 2026.
Francis started his career in the Colonial Audit department followed by positions at Nairobi City Council and Parklands Sports Club. After Kenya’s independence he relocated to England in 1974 where he worked in the accounts department of British Rail. When he reached retirement age, the company implored him to stay on, which he did, finally retiring five years later. at age 70.
Francis was an active parishioner at St Winefride’s Church in South Wimbledon devoting his time for over a decade to tallying the Sunday collections. Together with his close friend, the late Cajie Simoes, Francis was a dedicated volunteer delivering meals on wheels at weekends to the sick and housebound, for 15 years.
He was actively involved in the Merton Goan club holding a number of different positions over the years. He looked forward to the weekly meetings as he cherished the time spent with friends – sharing a meal, participating in activities and exchanging the latest news and gossip. He was also a passionate member of the Saligao Association, as Saligao was his home town. He regularly attended the events and over the years served on a number of different committees .
Francis treasured spending time with family and friends. It was common for him and his wife Connie to entertain friends and family almost every weekend, both in Kenya and England.
Francis is survived by his wife Connie, his three sons, Keith, Clyde, and Neale, his grandchildren Francesca, Daniel, Louisa, and Joanna, his great grandchildren Elias, Micah, and Alexandria, and his sisters Dorothy Dalgado and Elizabeth Maciel.
Francis was a gentleman of great integrity, deep faith and strong convictions. His kindness, generosity, warmth and love touched the lives of many people. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, but his memory will live on in their hearts as he was much loved.
Condolence cards can be sent to 84 Willmore End, South Wimbledon, London SW19 3DF.
Messages of sympathy can be sent to clydesaldanha@yahoo.com
The funeral mass will be at 11 am on Friday 20 March 2026 at
Sacred Heart Church, Edge Hill, Wimbledon, London SW19 4LU
If anybody would like to attend please e-mail Clyde (clydesaldanha@yahoo.com) as we need to know numbers for catering purposes.
If you are unable to attend and would like to watch the funeral mass, the service will be live streamed. This is done via churchservicesTV and the link for the church is Sacred Heart, Wimbledon, London – Edge Hill, Wimbledon, London, England
