Mr Porto, ‘Boet’ or Mr Creme Soda float are just some of the names local businessman, Paulo Filipe was known as.
Paulo passed away late last week. Residents, friends and family gathered to pay tribute to ‘the man with a great heart’ at his memorial on October 20.
His vibrant daughters,Wendy-Lee and Sabrina-Lee Filipe sat down with the Newcastle Advertiser to describe their father’s journey.
”Our dad was a successful business owner but also a full-time family man,”explained Wendy and Sabrina.
The journey to South Africa:
Paulo was born on the Portuguese ‘island of eternal spring’, Madeira, where he was welcomed into the world by his father, Francisco Goncalves Filipe and his mother, Maria Adelaide Filipe.
When he was five, Paulo’s family set sail to the Republic of South Africa, where his father sought a better future for his family.
With uncertainty and many challenges the family faced, they worked tirelessly to create a future for themselves, and later Paulo took ownership of Porto Fish and Chips.
With the help of his brothers and then later his wife Grace, they grew a tale of business and family life that would be told for generations to come.
Paulo cherished his fellow residents, Porto employees and his family.
“My dad was always smiling,’ ‘said Sabrina.
He took Porto to great heights through dedication and with a passion that later led to the business being recognised both nationally and internationally.
How it all began:
According to the family, Paulo always said with help from above and at the age of 30, he finally met the love of his life, Grace with only a cup of coffee.
Soon after, he said he became the ‘richest man’ after being blessed with his greatest gifts in life – his daughters Wendy-Lee and Sabrina -Lee.
“His memory will live on in all of us and in all we do,” said a close family member.
For Newcastle residents however, Paulo’s memory will live on in the legacy he has created through his world-renowned business.
“Porto treated Newcastle residents to the real taste of home,and the legacy of the business will go on,” promised his family.
The Newcastle Advertiser extends its condolences to the Filipe family during this time.
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