Antonio Justino Fernandes
FERNANDES FROM BRAZIL Joao Justino Fernandes: |
|
|||||||||||
|
2.3 ANTONIO JUSTINO FERNANDES, JR. (born in Macau on 31 January 1904; died in California on 28 August 1999)  Antonio Justino Fernandes, Jr. is the son of Antonio Justino Fernandes of Lapa do Lobo, Portugal and Maria Agusta Barreira. m. Beatriz Couto (b. 9 August 1910, d. 8 September 2002 San Lorenzo, California) 26 May 1930 Their children: Achievements A Tribute to Antonio Justino Fernandes, Jr. Antonio and Beatriz's Wedding  In 1966, Antonio came out of retirement to contribute his expertise to the rebuilding of The Palace of Fine Arts which stands today as part of the Golden Gate park Recreation and a legacy to his family and the people of San Francisco.  The Palace of Fine Arts, designed by Bernard Maybeck for the Panama Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco, California 1915. This is the only remaining building from the World's Fair on the original site; now Baker Street in San Francisco. Made of chicken wire and plaster, this building was not built to last. The citizens of San Francisco did not want it destroyed and raised the monies to spare it from demolition when the fair closed in December 1915. Falling into ruin over the next few decades, it was again slated for demolition in the early 1960's and once again was saved by the citizens of San Francisco. A benefactor contributed $1,000,000.00 to have the building completely torn down and reproduced. In order to do this, they needed workers from the old Beaux Art's School, which by then, was a dying art. Casts and molds using the "old world" techniques were required. A TRIBUTE TO GRAND UNCLE TONY by Eric Ribeiro Jr.  Grand Uncle Tony passed away on 28 August 1999 at the age of 95. He is our grandmother’s brother, the last remaining Fernandes of that generation. In the last year of his life, he was in the care of the Castro Valley Care Center, and received regular visits from family during that time, in particular his widow, Grand Aunty Bea. As befitting a great man, His Vigil service took place 31 August officiated by Rev. William Dunn at Grissom’s San Lorenzo Chapel, San Lorenzo, California. That afternoon, I met up with Aunty Millie and Aunty Dorothy to travel to the Vigil. My aunts are Tony’s grand-nieces. At Grissoms, we were joined by David Fernandes, Tony’s son, and his wife Leonie and their three sons Tony, David and Larry. Others attending were Aunty Bea’s family, including Cheryl and Ray Weaver. Cheryl is Aunty Bea’s Grand Niece. Also, Aunty Bea’s cousin Phyllis. Phyllis was the little flower girl at their wedding in 1930. Cheryl made a picture board of photographs of Uncle Tony’s life which was very moving. The picture in the centre was a Fernandes family photo taken of them in Macau 1914. A portrait picture of Uncle Tony, taken a few years ago was on a podium stand next to the casket. There were also pictures of Uncle Tony and Aunty Bea walking in the Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco, 1939-1940. The chapel was small and quaint with a nice wooden beamed ceiling. Uncle Tony’s features reminded me of Justino Fernandes, his father. He looked at peace. There was a spray of red and white carnations on the casket with a ribbon “Beloved Husband and Father”. Other bouquets, plants and potted flowers were by his side. Aunty Bea was in a wheelchair. The priest arrived before 7pm and the rosary was said. The funeral mass was held 1 September 1999 in St John’s Catholic Church, conducted by Rev. William Dunn. Representing Uncle Tony’s family were Mildred and Bernard Brown, Dorothy Stewart, Yvonne and Robert Rozario, Adrienne and Patrick Uitermarkt, and myself. We arrived at the church early during rehearsal. I was asked impromptu to sing after Communion and the only song that came into my head was Amazing Grace so I was surprised to hear after presenting my song that up until two weeks before his death, Uncle Tony was singing and humming Amazing Grace. It was almost as though Uncle Tony wished to hear that song and I felt proud that I had been able to sing it for him. It was as if his spirit was there with us, listening. A procession of cars followed each other from the Church to the Holy Sepulchre Cemetary where Uncle Tony was laid to rest. After the service, family and friends gathered at Aunty Bea’s house for lunch to share refreshments and stories.  Antonio “Tony” J. Fernandes, Jr. - 31 January 1904 – 28 August 1999 "Forever in Our Hearts" |
||||||||||||