Today would have been Jose Da Silva’s 65th birthday.
The Toronto man, who died last November of bladder cancer, is being honoured by his family with donations to charity — and 65 free cupcakes at Smoochies Cakery in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
Anyone who would like a chocolate or vanilla cupcake with a J on top is welcome to stop by the store at 17 Holland St. W. today and ask for a Jose cupcake.
“My dad was one of the kindest, most generous (people). Even when my dad was going through chemo, he wanted to make sure my sister and I and our kids were OK. He would drive 45 minutes to my house to bring me my favorite fruit, watermelon. He was an expert in picking them,” said his daughter Susana Ostronoff, who lives in Bradford.
“He instilled in us to be kind and help others when needed, and this is what we will be doing every year on his birthday.”
Da Silva spent much of his time in his last few months in BWG, helping Ostronoff build furniture for her home.
“He was (tough) but a softy at the same time,” she said. “My dad was a serious (man) but at the same time the biggest comedian. He had a joke on the tip of his tongue all the time.”
The family also plans to donate toys to the Hospital for Sick Children and food to Ronald McDonald House Charities in Da Silva’s honour.
Similar to the set up with Smoochies, the family has also purchased coffee at a business in Milton — where Ostronoff’s sister lives — to give away to people for free.
“Not only do we want to help others, we are teaching our children what my father has taught us, which is to be kind and help others,” she said.
