Dominic Reggie Soares

Bay Point, CA – Dominic Reggie Soares (aka Domingos Reginald Soares) passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 13, 2024, at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend, and neighbor.  (August 13^th is celebrated as the feast of Our Lady of Good Death in Candolim, Goa, India.)

Reggie was born in Orda Vaddo, Candolim, Goa, on March 2, 1931 to Miguel and Giraldina Soares.  He graduated from St. Anthony’s High School, Monte de Guirim, Goa.  He was a well-respected captain of his village soccer team.  He and his team travelled on bicycles throughout Bardez, Goa, playing soccer.  While in Goa, he worked for the Seza Goa Iron Mines.  In 1959, he left Goa to travel to Tanzania to better his prospects and join the love of his life, Lucille.

Reggie and Lucille got married in Shinyanga, Tanzania.  Reggie worked at the ‘Williamson Diamond Mine’ in Mwadui, Tanzania, for 18 years, until he retired at the end of 1977 as its Chief Storekeeper.    He raised three children and later sent them to Goa, India to obtain a good education.  While in Tanzania, Reggie enjoyed fishing, working on his cars, and taking care of the different animals that he adopted (his dog, Tarzan, chickens, a deer, a hedgehog and three crown birds).   Reggie loved animals, though he did once kill a black mamba that was under the hood of his car sitting on the air-cleaner.

Reggie returned to Goa, India in 1978 where his three children had now entered junior college.  While in Goa, Reggie continued to enjoy fishing on the Mira Mar beach, where he came across an abandoned puppy with a hole in its neck.  He nursed the dog to good health and named him Rusty.

Reggie and Lucille emigrated to the USA in 1982.  Their three adult children joined them in 1983 and 1984.  While in the USA, Reggie worked for the Sun Valley Car Wash in Concord, California.  As a car detailer, as in everything, he excelled at his job.  He was a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of the World Church, Pittsburg, California, where he served as an usher.  He enjoyed playing with and taking care of his six grandchildren, gardening, going for long drives, playing his harmonica, listening to music, watching Westerns, cooking, swimming and taking care of his dog, Lily and his parakeets who he let fly freely in his home.  His grandchildren also enjoyed listening to stories of his very interesting life in Goa and in Tanzania.  He enjoyed watching NBA, NFL, soccer and tennis games with Andrea.  He called Annabelle the family historian for her habit of interviewing and recording his stories.  He called Allison the family musician because he recognized a kindred love of music in her.   Andrea, Annabelle, and Allison miss their beloved grandpa dearly.

Reggie was preceded in death, by his brothers – Assumption, Frank, Rev. Fr. Albert, Orlando, his adopted brother, sister Bushin, brothers-in-law Exu, Egid, Thommy, and Vicky, his sister-in-law Josephine, and his beloved daughter, Carol.

Reggie is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Lucille, his children, and grandchildren Albert (Ana) & Andrea, Annabelle & Allison Soares, and Bernadine Rodrigues & her family, and sister-in-law Maria.

A Vigil will be held on September 13^th from 5 pm to 8 pm at the St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center, Sacramento, CA.  His Funeral Liturgy will be held on September 14^th at 2 pm at the St. James Catholic Church, Davis, CA followed by his Interment at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Woodland, CA.