Obituary of Anthony Fernandes

Anthony (Tony) Fernandes, age 97, of Oxford, NJ, passed away Friday, July 9, 2021 at home surrounded in love by his family. Born on February 4, 1924 in Manchester, NH, he was the son of the late Anibal Fernandes and the late Maria (Alves) Fernandes.  Tony was the middle child of 13 children. He spent his childhood and teenage years in New Rochelle, NY, which held a special place in his heart.  He spent the next 40 years in Hillside, NJ and then the following 40 years in Oxford, NJ where he found a caring community. Tony was a World War II veteran of the United States Armed Forces.  He worked as an inspector at the Motor Vehicles Agency for 30 years. He was a member of his local VFW; Washington Post 6701. 

Tony always had a strong sense of responsibility, beginning in his teens and then into adulthood.  He always helped support his family, he retired early to help care for his parents.  While Tony never married, he was a big part of many families.  People confided in him, at work, at home, and even people he met in his travels. Tony was a skilled carpenter.  He enjoyed playing the harmonica, traveling to numerous horse racing tracks, an avid Giants fan, he was an artist, poet, cook, and avid reader of philosophy, theology, and novels.  He was an active parishioner of St. Rose of Lima in Oxford, serving his church as an altar server, sacristan, and money counter.  Along with his sister Mary, Tony cleaned the church, helped at events, and ran errands.  Tony will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, and kind and generous spirit.

Tony will be forever missed by his brother, David Fernandes of Neptune, NJ; sister,  Sister Jacinta Fernandes of Lutherville, MD; many nieces and nephews.

Tony is predeceased by his parents, Anibal and Maria Fernandes, six brothers, and four sisters.

Relatives and friends may gather with the family on Tuesday July 13^th from 10:00 am until 11:30 am at Knoll-DeVoe Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 142 West Washington Avenue, Washington NJ 07882. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12:00 pm at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 85 Academy Street, Oxford NJ 07863. Inurnment services will be held at a later date at Mount Olivet Cemetery. 

For those who wish to view the funeral mass via livestream please Click Here for Livestream, the live streaming will start at 11:55 am on the morning of the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers donations in Tony’s name may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Baltimore Maryland, 2229 West Joppa Road, Lutherville, MD 21093 or St. Joseph Social Service Center, 812 Rebecca Place, Elizabeth NJ 07201