Dubai/Panjim, Oct 8 (DWN): Mario Moreira, a Dubai-based Goan musician passed away in Mumbai on Oct 5, was laid to rest in his hometown in Panjim, Goa on Tuesday, Oct 8 according to Khaleej Times report.

Sources said 45-year-old Mario was battling an illness since July this year.

Khaleej Times reports, Mario was a multi-instrumentalist and talented singer, and his death came as a colossal loss to Dubai's Goan and music community. "A parishioner of St Mary's Church in Dubai, Mario was a treasured member of Dubai's expat music community," said Rev Father Andre F Fernandes, the spiritual director for the Goan Community at St Mary's Church.

Mario was was diagnosed with illeness in July. He was undergoing treatment in Mumbai. Unfortunately, he did not make it as everything happened too fast.

His wife Marilyn survives him, and the couple had two children, a daughter aged 12 and a son aged five.

Mario had been in the UAE for over 20 years. He would also teach music to children whenever he found time, according to Khaleej Times.