Edward R. Fernandes, 92, of New Bedford died Friday July 15, 2016 at Brookdale Dartmouth Village after a long illness. He was the husband of Violeta (Saraiva) Fernandes; they had been married for 67 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Joseph A. and Rosa (Amaral) Fernandes, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
Mr. Fernandes was formerly employed by the U.S. Postal Service in the New Bedford area for many years, retiring as the supervisor at the Acushnet Post Office. He had previously worked as a projectionist for area theaters and was a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
He was a member of the Panthers Golden Agers, the St. Hedwig's Senior Citizens, the Disabled American Veterans Dr. C.E. Burt Chapter 7, the American Legion Post 459, and N.A.R.F.E. He had also been a volunteer for St. Luke's Hospital Auxiliary. He enjoyed playing Bingo at the Buttonwood Senior Center and attending the Postal Worker Retirees monthly luncheon at the End Zone Restaurant.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
His family would like to extend sincere thanks to Compassionate Care Hospice and Brookdale Senior Living staff for the care and kindness shown to Edward during his illness.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Madeline Macedo and her husband Dennis of New Bedford, Kathleen Gardner of South Windsor, CT, and Linda Ladino and her husband Robert of Dartmouth; seven grandchildren, Nathan Macedo, Kristen Macedo, James Ladino, Jacqueline Irzyk and her husband Benjamin, Jonathan Ladino, Beth Gardner, and Michael Gardner and his wife Brittany; and five great-grandchildren, Kaylee Macedo, Tyler Jorge, Ethan Macedo, Justin Macedo, and Madison Duff.
His Funeral will be held on Monday at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Julie Billiart Church, Dartmouth at 10 AM. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Veterans Transition House, 20 Willis St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or Compassionate Care Hospice, 174 Dean St., Taunton, MA 02780. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.