Obituary of Eduardo M Fernandes

Eduardo M. Fernandes, 89, of St. Petersburg passed away on January 24, 2022. Eddie was the beloved husband of Eugenia (Gonsalves) Fernandes. Born on the Island of Brava, Cape Verde, he was the son of the late Emanuel and Aida (Mingola) Fernandes.

Eddie lived in Brava until he was 23 years old and then moved to Brooklyn, NY in March 1957. He later moved to Jersey City, NJ where he lived until 1995 with his wife and son. Eddie moved to Port Saint Lucie, FL with wife in 1995 and then in 2018 moved to Saint Petersburg, FL. He always wanted the American dream and worked for it. Eddie provided his family with a big home, where he loved entertaining family and friends. He enjoyed baking pies, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Eddie found peace when gardening and taking care of his fruit trees. He was the type to give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. A memory his family will always cherish is when Eddie opened their home to his son's friend to make sure he had a clean bed to sleep in and a hot shower.

It was important to Eddie to help other people who were immigrating to the U.S. He would sponsor them, help set appointments, find housing and educate them on what was necessary so they could get on their feet.

Besides his loving wife, Eddie leaves a son, Eduardo M. Fernandes Jr. (partner, Kevin Thornton); sister, Stella Caloia; sister-in-law, Maria Fernandes; brother-in-law, David Valles; sister-in-law, Lisa Costas; sister-in-law, Virgina Gonsalves; brother-in-law, Daniel Gonsalves and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

Eddie's service will be on Sunday, February 6, 2022, visitation starting at 12pm, funeral service at 1pm followed by a reception, all at the funeral home, 2201 Dr. MLK Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33704. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the  St. Jude Children Research Hospital: 1-(800)478-5833 (click here to donate online) or Deborah Heart and Lung Center 1(609)893-0100 (click here to donate online)