Dr. Antonio “Tony” Fernandes, Jr. of Dartmouth, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on October 7th, 2021. Born and raised in New Bedford he was the son of the late Antonio and Maria Fernandes.
Tony graduated from New Bedford High School in 1953 where he was a standout football star, attended Springfield College for undergraduate and received his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Tufts University School of Dentistry in 1960. He married Judith Boissonneault, his cherished wife of 62 years, in June of 1959 and the couple went on to have six children.
Dr. Fernandes began his dental career serving as a Captain in the United States Air Force and returned to the area in 1962 to open his private dental practice in South Dartmouth. During his successful 54 year career, Dr. Fernandes was well respected by colleagues and patients. He was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association and the Massachusetts Dental Society, past president of the New Bedford Dental Society and one of the founding members of the Wamsutta Dental Study Group. He also served many years on the board of Fairhaven Savings Bank.
A lifelong boater, Tony had a passion for offshore fishing and enjoyed taking family and friends out on the ocean. He loved sports, music and building projects, but especially loved doing these things with his family. He somehow blended a competitive spirit with humor and charm in a way that captured the hearts of those who knew him.
Tony leaves behind his wife Judith, his children Nikoline Frade, Anthony (Bud) Fernandes III and his wife Dawn, Dr. Desirée Winterhalter, Jay Fernandes and his wife Karen, Jill Rainville and her husband David, and Andrew Fernandes and his fiancée Trisha Arruda; his grandchildren, Nicholas Frade, Rhiannon Razzaboni, Mitchel, Evan and Max Winterhalter, Jenna and David Rainville, and Jake, Athena and Daniel Arruda; his great grandchildren, Izabel and Anthony (AJ) Razzaboni. He is also survived by his sisters, Odelia Cardoza and Lydia Jacintho and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother John Fernandes, his sister Elvira Fernandes, and his son-in-law Charles Winterhalter.
His Funeral Mass will be held on Monday October 18, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Church, 789 Dartmouth St., South Dartmouth. Visiting hours will be private. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Remembrances are welcome in any form. In his honor, please consider making a tribute donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at Act.alz.org. For online condolence book please visit www.saundersdwyer.com, as we would love to hear your favorite stories and or memories.