Ernesto Castanheira

Ernesto Alfredo Castanheira, 60, of Richardson, Texas, passed away January 20, 2024, at home, from the effects of an aggressive cancer which he boldly fought for the past two years.

Ernesto was born on February 2, 1963, in Chimoio, Mozambique to Ernesto Castanheira and Nora Ellis Castanheira.  Ernesto enjoyed growing up around the family farm and hunting in the Mozambican bush with his cousins and friends.  The family was forced to leave Mozambique when he was 12 due to political upheaval in the country and moved to Zimbabwe.

Ernesto had a love of learning and excelled in school becoming a Prefect, captain of the basketball team, first team soccer, first team chess, and enjoyed art and writing. Ernesto completed 5 A Levels at Allan Wilson High School, Harare, and pursued a career in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. He also found a love of competitive darts.

Ernesto moved to Lisboa, Portugal, in 1989, where he later owned/managed a pub in Lisbon; The Master Derby. Ernesto’s greatest joy was the birth of his daughter Ilana in 1995, and he relished the time he spent with her during those early years.  He continued his passion for darts, and developed life-long friendships with others who shared his zeal for the sport in Portugal.

He moved to Dallas, Texas in 2001 to pursue a career in the IT field, settling into a position with Capital One Bank, enjoying both the work and his co-workers. Ernesto married the love of his life, Cathie, in 2012. He loved traveling and particularly trying the local foods of the places visited. Ernesto liked working on his cabin at Cedar Creek Lake, and taking the pontoon out to cruise the lake, along with some occasional fishing. Ernesto also was able to spend more time with his daughter Ilana whenever she visited him and Cathie in Dallas during her school breaks.

Ernesto is survived by his wife, Cathie Ranta, Richardson, Tx beloved mother, Nora Ellis Castanheira, Tool, TX, daughter, Ilana (Joseph Toups) Pfeiffer, Nuremberg, Germany, step-son Michael (Brandon) Hunter,Jonesboro, AR, brother, Roberto (Al Wischkowsky) Castanheira, Dallas, TX, special cousin and friend, Daphne Domingues, Mem Martins, Portugal, grandson Alexander Casten Hunter, nieces Dominique and Daniella Castanheira, nephews Patrick (Sarah) Christopherson, Jon (partner Jensen) Christopherson, and Daniel Darling, Uncle Frank (Fila) Ellis, Zimbabwe, Aunt Jesse Ellis, Mozambique, cousins Matilda Clarao, Mena Ellis, Mabel Ellis, Sandra Franco, Sydney Ellis all of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, parents-in-law, Susan Ellis and Jerry Homel, Little Suamico, WI, sister-in-law, Jean Darling, Shawano, WI, and many other extended family and friends in Africa, Europe, the US and across the world.

In lieu of flowers, Ernesto would wish you to spend some additional quality time with your friends and family. Take them out for a coffee or take them to dinner and cherish the time you have with your loved ones.

A Celebration of Life service for Ernesto will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, in the chapel at Allen Family Funeral Options. The service will be live-streamed for international family and friends, and those unable to make it in person but want to share this time with the family. To view service via webcast: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/97187

Afterwards, everyone is welcome to join the family for some food and to raise a glass to Ernesto from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at The Lion & Crown, 932 Garden Park Dr., Allen, Texas 75013.