Dr. Gladson Menino Vaz was called to heaven on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. Surrounded by his wife and friends, he died peacefully at home. Dr. Vaz was born in Goa, India on July 13, 1961. He graduated from the University of Bombay, with his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. In 1989, he married Zena Mazarello. They immigrated to Canada, where their two daughters were born. He later completed his residency and a fellowship at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PN. Dr. Vaz came to Richland, WA in 1997, and practiced for 14 years at Lourdes. Board certified in Internal, Pulmonary, and Sleep medicine, he served as chief of medical staff and the director of Lourdes Sleep Lab. Dr. Vaz was a long time parishioner of Holy Spirit Parish. For his devoted care of patients and friends, Dr. Vaz was highly respected and appreciated. His wisdom, gentle spirit, charity and kindness will be greatly missed. Dr. Vaz is preceded in death by his parents Amarante and Cristina Vaz, and sister Blythe, and survived by his wife Zena, daughters Wynona and Kristine, and siblings Suraya, Tarcy, Alba, Salome, and Gladwin. A memorial mass will be held at Holy Spirit Parish in Kennewick, WA at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 17th, 2011. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Holy Spirit Parish at 7 p.m. on Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lourdes Foundation or Holy Spirit Parish.