Menegusso, João Darcy (1930–2019)

João Darcy Menegusso, entrepreneur and philanthropist, was born on March 4, 1930, in the city of Curitiba, state of Paraná, Brazil.

Son of Sizefredo Menegusso and Letícia Chagas Menegusso, he had five siblings: Doracy, Deony, Noemi, Noeli and Elizeu. His father worked in the construction and road business, and was the founder of S. Menegusso e CIA Ltda, a company responsible for building paved roads in the three southern states of Brazil - Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. The family professed the Catholic faith and was quite devout in their belief. On Sundays, when the priest was unable to pray the Mass, Dona Letícia, who had the keys of the church, gathered the neighborhood to worship and pray the rosary. Through his mother's example, Darcy's interest in knowing the Word of God grew.¹

In 1938, while living in Campo Largo, state of Paraná, he began attending with his family a series of Adventist conferences held by Pastor Nelson Schwantes, in the city of Curitiba. The meetings had been going on for a few weeks, but the topic of that day was related to the fourth commandment, the Sabbath. It was on that occasion that he learned the truth about the Sabbath as a separate and sanctified day, established since the creation of the world. His mother, from then on, had no doubt about the Sabbath, and started to keep it according to “thus says the Lord.” The city had no Adventist presence, but the central church in Curitiba appointed a missionary to study the Bible with the family.²

Dona Letícia told her priest that she was studying the Bible with Adventists; he advised her to continue the studies, since the Word of God contains the truth. Shortly thereafter she was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, keeping all of the Lord's commandments. Although her husband Sizefredo did not embrace the new faith immediately, he was baptized many years later; however, he was a supporter of the Church from the start. As president of S. Menegusso e CIA Ltda, Sizefredo made great contributions to the expansion of Adventist work, especially in the 1970s. An example of this is the purchase of a land and construction of an Adventist school in Curitiba, which follows the Spirit of Prophecy counsels, promoting physical, mental and spiritual education for its students. In addition, he also helped in the purchase of the land where the Central Church of Curitiba is currently located. The financial assistance and earthwork services offered by the company contributed to the establishment of many churches and denominational schools in southern Brazil.³

João Darcy, influenced by his mother, nurtured in his heart the desire to know the Bible more and more. On Sundays he frequented Sunday school at the Presbyterian church, but he also attended the sermons of the Adventist pastor Átila da Rocha. Through this approach to both denominations, he realized the difference between them, concluding that the Seventh-day Adventist Church was closer to biblical principles.⁴

In 1944, João went to study at Brazil College (now UNAP-SP), where he attended a series of Bible studies aimed specifically to young audiences, led by Pastor João Linhares. In this way, having his faith strengthened, João and his sister Doracy were baptized at the college’s church in 1945, at 15 years of age. At Brazil College he completed high school and, after that, he chose to join as a partner in his father's company.⁵

Years later, Darcy married Diva Romfeld Menegusso, on February 1, 1951, with whom he had three children: Dirley, Dilza, and Denilson. They were all raised according to the principles of the Adventist Church, becoming church leaders, primarily acting in the musical area. João was never a musician, but he always encouraged his children to play musical instruments in order to worship God.⁶

In the 1980s, Sizefredo Menegusso left the presidency of S. Menegusso e CIA. Ltda, passing the administration to his children. In the early 1990s, the company was sold, causing to cease the support that was destined for the Adventist organization. Even so, João Darcy continued to support the Church by contributing large financial sums. One of the projects to which he had a fundamental contribution was the establishment of Novo Tempo television network (similar to Hope Channel in Brazil), which he helped with systematic donations until his last days. During his life he was an active member and participant in the Church, faithful in tithes and offerings, serving in different positions, including: as a Sabbath School director, leader in missionary work, elder and participant of the Voice of Youth, an evangelistic project created by the Volunteer Missionary Department and carried on by the younger members of the Church.⁷

João Darcy Menegusso died on May 4, 2019, and he was buried in the Lutheran cemetery in Curitiba. He was not a pastor or an evangelist but left an important legacy for the Adventist Church by following the principles learned in his childhood. Through his testimony and origin, he was a pillar of support for the whole family. In addition to his example at home, he contributed financially and spiritually to the development of Adventist Church in Brazil.⁸

Sources

“Lista de falecimento – 05/05/2019.” Gazeta do Povo (Online), May 5, 2019. Accessed March 10, 2020. https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/curitiba/falecimentos/falecimentos-curitiba-05-05-2019/.

“Novas técnicas.” Diário do Paraná, year 16, no. 4530, August 20, 1970. Accessed March 13, 2020. http://memoria.bn.br/DocReader/DocReader.aspx?bib=761672&pesq=Darcy%20Menegusso&pasta=ano%20196.

Notes

1. Denilson Menegusso, interviewed by Alan Gracioto, May 9 and 15, 2020; “Lista de falecimento – 05/05/2019,” Gazeta do Povo, May 5, 2019. Accessed on March 10 of 2020, https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/curitiba/falecimentos/falecimentos-curitiba-05-05-2019/; “Novas técnicas,” Diário do Paraná, year 16, no. 4530 (August 20, 1970): 4; Dirley Menegusso, interviewed por Alan Gracioto, May 15, 2020.↩

2. Denilson Menegusso, interviewed by Alan Gracioto, May 9 and 15, 2020.↩

3. Ibid.↩

4. Ibid.↩

5. Ibid.↩

6. Ibid.↩

7. Ibid.↩

8. Ibid.; “Lista de falecimento – 05/05/2019,” Gazeta do Povo, May 5, 2019, accessed March 10, 2020, https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/curitiba/falecimentos/falecimentos-curitiba-05-05-2019/.↩