Melbourne Bids Tearful Farewell to Miranda Brothers
Pics: Richard Serong
Daijiworld Media Network - Melbourne (GA)
Melbourne, Jan 24: About 500 people joined at St Peter's in East Bentleigh on Friday January 23 for a moving service to the two Miranda brothers killed on a family holiday in New Zealand. The two coffins holding the men's remains were draped in a white cloth, and adorned with bouquets of flowers.
It may be recalled that Ashish and Akshay Miranda, both of Mangalorean origin were holidaying with their parents, Ronnie and Winnie, when they were crushed by falling ice at the Fox Glacier on January 8.
Their parents maintained their composure as they spoke at the service, remembering how before breakfast each morning their sons talked about their lives and their goals.
The Mirandas also told mourners that the pair never started anything without finishing it and were determined to fulfill their dreams. Ronnie said that he is comforted his sons will rest in peace together.
Mourning parents Ronnie and Winnie
"I cannot think of any more fitting role models than the hard working and gracious Ashish and Akshay," said their uncle Cedric Miranda to the mourners.
"They have not only touched but entered into and remain in the lives, minds and hearts of all who knew them."
Jason Mendonca, a close friend of Ashish, said his mate, who worked as an aerospace engineer for Boeing, lived life with passion.
"Ash, my mate, you always loved to fly. You wanted to be the best. Now you have your own angel wings, so come to visit us sometime," Mendonca said.
Tribute songs were played for the pair - Dream Catch Me in memory of Ashish and Forever Young for Akshay.
Items that meant a lot to the brothers were placed on their coffins, which were side-by-side, during the service.
A cricket ball and bat was placed on Ashish's coffin and a Manchester United top on keen supporter Akshay's.
Daniel Unabia said Akshay was like a brother to him. "There are two things you should know about Akshay. One, he was an absolute laugh. And two ... Akshay was one of the most loyal friends you could ever meet," he said.
Another friend, Stanley D'Souza, said Ashish was a word that in Sanskrit meant "blessing", while Akshay meant "eternal".
"They were, and will remain, and eternal blessing for Winnie and Ronnie," he said.
Their cousin, Fedora Fernandes, who was in New Zealand at the time of the tragedy, placed bungee jumping T-shirts on their coffins.
The brothers, described as adventurous, had gone bungee jumping and whitewater rafting on their holiday.
Fr Michael Sierakowski conducted the service, which included several readings by friends and family.
The Mirandas wanted to bury their sons together. There was not a single dry eye in the church when the parents bid farewell to their only two sons saying " The Will be Done! "
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