Jose Fernandes, 88
Dateline: Norton, MA
Jose Fernandes, age 88, of Norton, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2020 at the Hope Health Hospice Center in Providence. He was the beloved husband of the late Algerina D. (Azevedo) Fernandes, to whom he was wed for nearly fifty-four years at the time of her death on May 24, 2009.
Born in Madeira Island, Portugal on January 26, 1932, he was a loving son of the late Geraldo and Maria (Rodrigues) Fernandes.
Jose grew up and was educated in Portugal. At the age of seventeen he moved to Curacao, Venezuela, where he attended welding school and worked for Shell Oil Company welding pipelines. In 1955, he moved to the United States, settled in Norton and married Algerina, the love of his life.
A well-known and respected member of the Norton Community, Mr. Fernandes was the retired owner and founder of the Produce Barn on Mansfield Avenue, a company he proudly operated with the help of his family and which is still family owned and operated today. He had formerly been employed as a produce merchandiser at the former Fernandes Supermarket.
Jose was a communicant of Saint Mary’s Church in Norton and a longtime member of the Portuguese American Citizens Club in Stoughton. He very much-loved spending time with his family and his hobbies included hunting, fishing, farming, raising livestock and occasional trips to area casinos.
He is survived by his devoted children: Joyce L. Fernandes of Norton, Joseph G. Fernandes and his wife Bonnie of Norton and Dennis E. Fernandes and his wife Jill of Norton. He was the dear brother of Maria Pestana of Norton, Rosa Rodriques of Madeira Island, Agostinho Fernandes and his wife Patricia of Norton, and the late Geraldo Fernandes and Joao “John” Fernandes.
Service, along with burial at the Norton Center Cemetery in Norton will be private and visiting hours have been omitted.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp St., Norton.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com