Sebastião “Sebastian” da Silva Furtado Neto

November 20, 1991 - June 1, 2026

There are no words that can adequately convey our sorrow as we announce the tragic and accidental passing of Sebastian on Monday, June 1, 2026, decades too soon. Our hearts are broken by this unimaginable loss.

On November 20, 1991, his light entered this world in Viana, Brazil and gained brilliance in the 34 years as he touched so many places and people.

After several extended visits to Canada, where Sebastian attended school and then worked in construction with his brother, Romulo - all while learning English - he made it clear how much he loved living in Canada and decided to stay. His gift of connection quickly amassed a community, his chosen family, in which he seamlessly and simultaneously was always at its centre.

It was impossible not to experience the world more deeply when in his presence. His love of taste (his cooking!), sound (concerts and dancing!), sight (his sense of style, colour and fashion!) and, most famously, his sense of smell - his passion and love for fragrance and what it can evoke, left very few people without a spray of something that will always remind them of him. The world will never smell quite as beautiful.

Unlike many who are so gifted in love, spirit, and culture, Sebastian also excelled at hard work and never settled into comfort - he always strived to raise the bar. He was employed full-time at Finning as a parts technician. He recently achieved his journeyman certification, which he was so proud of.

In 2014, Sebastian and Chris each met the love of their lives. Both were deeply and instantly moved by each other. Only five months later, they stood in their living room amongst a small gathering of loved ones and committed legally to what their hearts immediately knew upon meeting. Instead of a honeymoon they chose to remain in the “honeymoon stage” perpetually, and have travelled extensively since their marriage. The countries that were earmarked for the future will miss out on hosting Sebastian, whose curiosity, open heart and mind enriched everyone he met.

As their friends and family can attest, who are generously included in their love and in their lives, they enjoyed a true partnership and balanced each other perfectly. One cannot fathom the sense of loss Chris is enduring in the absence of the person who was his home.

As well as his husband, Christopher Coates, Sebastian is survived by and will be deeply missed by his parents, Sebastião da Silva Furtado Júnior and Cledionôra Mouzinho Borges and his grandmother, Aldenôra Mouzinho Borges; his siblings, Ròmulo (Thielly), Lyanna, and Lilian (Brady); his parents-in-law, Seymour and Cora Coates, who considered him “one of theirs,” his sister-in-law, Melanie (Andy), and his nieces and nephews, as well as his aunts and uncles and a large extended family in both Brazil and Canada.

He is predeceased by his grandparents, Sebastião da Silva Furtado, Ceciliana Castro Furtado and José de Ribamar Nunes Borges.

Messages of condolences, memories, photos and anything else people may want to share can be sent to: sebastianfurtado2026@gmail.com, to support the family.

To honour Sebastian’s memory, and selflessness in helping others, in lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: sebastianfurtado2026@gmail.com to support Projecto CEEB, Sebastian's Tio (Uncle) Jorge’s school foundation for underprivileged kids.

The Visitation is scheduled for June 12, 2026 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, with Celebration of Life to follow at Family Christian Centre at 160 Dickens Drive.Please join Christopher and his loved ones for light refreshments between 4:00-6:00 pm at his home.

For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of the Celebration of Life will be available. Please click the link below at the time of the service to join virtually: 

SEBASTIAO DA SILVA FURTADO NETO CELEBRATION OF LIFE