John "Zeke" Fernandes

New Bedford- John “Zeke" Fernandes, died Thursday, May 25, 2006 at St. Luke’s Hospital, after a brief illness. He was the husband of Cecelia (Furtado) Fernandes of Dartmouth. Mr. Fernandes was the father of Kathy Plante, wife of Steven Plante of Acushnet, MA and Wayne Fernandes of New Bedford. Mr. Fernandes was the grandfather of Jonathan Fernandes, Justin, Kara and Katie Plante. He was the brother-in-law of Delores Fell of Florida. He was the brother of the late Manuel Fernandes and Mary Monteiro .

Mr. Fernandes was the son of the late Manuel and Mary (Faria) Fernandes. He was born in New Bedford and lived in this area all of his life. Mr. Fernandes was quite active in Local Soccer and Baseball circles. He coached, managed and umpired in the D.Y.A.A (Dartmouth Youth Athletic Association) for many years. In his youth Mr. Fernandes was very involved with Mt. Carmel CYO. Mr. Fernandes had a tryout for the Boston Braves Baseball Team in 1949. He also had tryouts for the US Olympic soccer team in 1956. He was a member of the Goodyear Seniors and when he was employed at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., he was a member of the top 10 Supervisors Club. He was a member and on the Board of Directors for the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento and served on the Madeira Museum Committee.

His Funeral will be Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at 8:45 A.M at Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. with a Funeral Mass at 10 A.M. at St. Mary’s Church, S.Dartmouth, MA. Interment at Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4 - 8 P.M.. Flowers are acceptable or donation may be made to S.S. Sacramento Scholarship Fund or Madeira Museum c/o Club Madeirense, 50 Madeira Ave., New Bedford, Ma 02746.