Donor Recognition · A Legacy of Giving
A life of kindness.
A legacy of love.
- “He Shall Live Because of Me.”
A life remembered. A spirit carried forward.
In loving remembrance
A Life of Distinction,
A Legacy of Kindness
01
A friend's tribute
Remembering Dr. William “Willie” Gomes
By Drs. Edward Pinto and Marguerite Monteiro Pinto
Some friendships enrich our lives in ways that words can scarcely capture. For Marguerite and me, our friendship with William Gomes—Willie, as he was affectionately known—was one such blessing. He was a cherished classmate, an exceptional physician, and a man whose generosity of spirit was as remarkable as his professional accomplishments.
Our friendship deepened during our four years of residency at Bridgeport Hospital, where we pursued different specialties. Those years were filled with wonderful memories—weekends and vacations together with Willie and Agnes, often joined by our dear senior, Selwyn Baptist. Willie was a gracious and enthusiastic host, renowned among us for his delicious cooking, excellent red wine, and favorite Chivas Regal. His warmth, hospitality, and love of good company made every gathering memorable. The friendships forged during those early years endured throughout our lives.
Yet one experience remains especially profound in our family’s memory.
During our residency, when Willie was Chief Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marguerite developed severe eclampsia at 32 weeks of pregnancy, placing both her life and that of our unborn daughter, Michelle, in grave danger. Willie’s exceptional clinical judgment, expertise, and devoted care were instrumental in saving them both.
For that extraordinary gift, our gratitude will always be immeasurable.
Willie subsequently became Michelle’s godfather, a bond that held special meaning for our family. Agnes, then a pediatric resident, was equally invaluable through her guidance, encouragement, and loving care during Michelle’s earliest weeks. Their kindness during that difficult time remains one of our most treasured memories.
Even as a young physician, Willie distinguished himself through remarkable clinical competence, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right. He possessed the courage to uphold his convictions, even when that meant disagreeing with senior colleagues. His integrity was not merely a professional ideal; it was a principle by which he lived.
- If Willie had been given a second name, I believe it should have been Generous.
His generosity extended far beyond material giving. He offered his time, friendship, expertise, and compassion freely and without expectation. Whether helping someone in need, serving his church, or supporting St. John’s Medical College, he gave wholeheartedly.
His devotion to our alma mater was particularly meaningful. Together with fellow Johnites, including Dr. Ephrem Thoppil, Willie helped lay the foundations of Friends of St. John’s. Their commitment began early in their careers, long before financial security was assured. It was generosity born not of abundance, but of gratitude—a desire to give back to the institution that had shaped their lives and opened doors to opportunity.
Perhaps the most touching testament to Willie’s character came after his passing. When Selwyn Baptist, Mark Sequeira, and I visited Grand Island, we encountered expressions of affection and loss from people at the airport and our hotel. Some had been delivered by Willie and cared for in childhood by Agnes. Their recollections revealed something deeply moving: the enduring place Willie held in the hearts of the community he had served.
Willie and Agnes also raised a wonderful family whose warmth, compassion, and commitment to others reflect the values they shared. Agnes, herself a distinguished pediatrician, continues their longstanding tradition of generosity and devotion to St. John’s.
As we remember Willie, we celebrate far more than an accomplished physician. We remember a man of conviction and kindness, a devoted husband and father, a loyal friend, and someone who found genuine happiness in giving to others.
His life was a beautiful expression of the St. John’s ideal, “He Shall Live Because of Me.” In the patients he healed, the lives he helped save, the friendships he nurtured, and the opportunities he helped create, that promise found enduring meaning.
Drs. Edward Pinto and Marguerite Monteiro Pinto
St. John's Medical College, Class of 1964
Dr. Michelle Kittleson, goddaughter of Dr Willam Gomes
Moments & Memories
A lifetime of love,
friendship and service
The spirit of giving continues
When One Act of Kindness
Becomes a Legacy
Dr. Agnes Aranha Gomes | Class of 1965
Dr. Agnes Aranha Gomes
Willie and I came to the United States with just seven dollars each in our wallets. What we did have, however, was an education from St. John’s Medical College—a gift that would shape the course of our lives in ways we could never have anticipated.
We were fortunate to have been given that opportunity, and we never lost sight of the people who made it possible.
Willie’s dream of becoming a physician was made possible by the generosity of someone who offered to pay for his medical education. When we could eventually return the money, that generous soul would not accept it. My own journey was made possible by my parents, whose faith in me was greater than the financial burden of educating me.
Their kindness and sacrifices stayed with us throughout our lives. We understood, from personal experience, that sometimes the difference between an unrealized dream and a life of possibility is simply someone willing to help.
St. John’s gave us much more than a profession. It gave us a foundation of compassion, service, and responsibility toward others. We carried those values with us to Nebraska, where we raised our four children and built a life for which I remain profoundly grateful.
Our ties to St. John’s never faded. Even before Friends of St. John’s came into existence, we found ways to support the institution that had given us so much. FOSJ subsequently made it easier for alumni like us to translate our gratitude into meaningful support for the college and its mission.
The scholarship programs and rural healthcare initiatives are especially close to my heart. I know what an education can mean to a young person of promise whose financial circumstances might otherwise close the door.
Whenever I think of such a student, I think of Willie.
Someone once saw his potential and chose to invest in his future. That one act of kindness helped make possible not only his medical career, but the life we shared and the opportunities that followed.
To me, that is the true beauty of a scholarship. Beyond easing a financial burden, it offers dignity, encouragement, and the freedom to pursue a calling.
Although Willie is no longer with us, I find comfort in knowing that the values we shared can continue to find expression in the lives of others.
I hope my fellow Johnites will reflect on the opportunities St. John’s gave each of us, and on the many young people whose futures might be transformed by a similar act of generosity.
The measure of what we give is not simply its monetary value, but the possibilities it creates and the lives it touches, often far beyond our own.
- “He shall live because of me.”
Dr. Agnes Aranha Gomes
St. John’s Medical College, Class of 1965
An enduring legacy
“The lives made better because he was part of them.”
Honoring Willie’s memory. Celebrating Agnes’ generosity. Inspiring generations to give back.
