Antonio Fernandes

Antonio Fernandes, lovingly known as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, craftsman, protector, and the man who could fix just about anything, passed away surrounded by the love of his family at the age of 72.

Born on March 25, 1954, in Sao Mateus, Terceira, Azores, Antonio was the cherished son of the late Francisco Fernandes and Maria C. (Verissimo) Fernandes.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Maria Ligia Fernandes; 4 daughters, Sandra Fernandes, grandchild, Yeziah Freeman; Susan Ribeiro and her significant other Paul Cordeiro, grandchildren, Alivia Cordeiro, Zachary Cordeiro (deceased); Lizette Casilli and her husband Todd Casilli, grandchildren, Dominic Casilli, Matthew Casilli, Mason Casilli and Elizabeth Fernandes and her significant other Kevin Sobolewski, grandchild, Cameron Sobolewski.

An immigrant from Portugal, he came to America in pursuit of the American dream …to build a life, build a home, build a family, and create something meaningful through hard work and sacrifice. But somewhere along the way, after falling deeply in love with his wife, she became the dream. Her dreams became his dreams, and together they built a life centered around love, family, resilience, and devotion.

Through his hands, determination, and relentless work ethic, he built not only homes and buildings, but an entire life centered around family.

A carpenter by trade and a true handyman in every sense of the word, there was almost nothing he couldn’t build, repair, figure out, or bring back to life. From homes and buildings to school projects, picture frames, jewelry boxes, plumbing, electrical work, and countless side jobs for family, friends, and neighbors…his hands were rarely still. If something was broken, people knew to call Tony. And somehow, even through frustration, determination, a few colorful cuss words, and usually a wisecrack joke to follow, he almost always found a way to fix it. To those who knew him, that was also how he showed love.

Life did not come easy to him. He survived more than most people could imagine …serious illness, devastating accidents, surgeries, cancer, and physical pain that would have slowed many others down. At different points in his life, doctors were unsure if he would survive, walk again, or recover at all. Yet somehow, he always did. He jokingly called himself “Evel Knievel” because no matter what life threw at him, he somehow found a way to get back up and keep going.

Even through chronic pain and physical hardships, he rarely complained. He simply adapted, carried on, and continued showing up for the people he loved. His strength became almost larger than life to those around him. After surviving so much over the years, part of the heartbreak in losing him is that we truly believed he would somehow make it through this too.

He worked tirelessly for the people he cared about, often juggling multiple jobs because providing for his family meant everything to him. He wanted his wife home with their daughters, and he carried that responsibility proudly, even when it meant long days and sleepless nights. Yet somehow, despite the hard work, he still made life feel full…full of loud music, laughter, camping trips, dancing in the house, road trips with rock and roll blasting through the speakers, and memories that now echo loudly in the hearts of the people who loved him most.

He loved fast cars, especially his Dodge Charger, music with bass you could feel in your chest, old movies, being outdoors, and above all, being with his family. His daughters remember the excitement of hearing him come home from work and all four of them running to the door because just his presence made the house feel complete. He adored his wife deeply and looked at her with a love that never really faded.

He also deeply loved being a grandfather. A proud grandfather to seven grandchildren, he played an active role in helping raise them and poured so much love into teaching them everything he knew …whether it was fixing things with his hands, giving life advice, driving lessons, telling stories about Portugal and the old country, teaching lessons through humor, or simply creating memories together. He loved soccer from the time he was young and carried that passion throughout his life, sharing it often with his family and grandchildren.

Of all the hardships and tragedies he endured throughout his life, one of the deepest heartbreaks he carried was the loss of his beloved grandson, Zachary. Though he continued pushing forward the way he always had, those closest to him know a part of him was never quite the same afterward.

Their home became the place where everyone gathered …family, friends, neighbors, cousins, and many of their daughters’ closest friends who became like family over the years. It was often referred to as “Grand Central Station” because there was always someone there. There was always good homemade food, music, laughter, a little chaos, and a whole lot of love. Their home was the kind of place people felt “at home.”

To many, he became more than a father to his own four daughters …he became a second father, a protector, a storyteller, a fixer, and the person who could somehow make people laugh even in the most tense or painful moments, including hospitals, churches, and funerals.

He did not live an easy life, but he lived a full one. And though his hands can no longer fix the things left broken here, the love, memories, laughter, music, lessons, and strength he built into the people around him remain.

He leaves behind a family who loved him deeply, and memories that will continue echoing loudly through the lives of everyone who knew and loved him…just like the music he played so loudly and loved so much.

Tony's visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Perry Funeral Home from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. His funeral service will be held on Thursday morning, beginning at 8:30 AM in the funeral home and followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Immaculate Conception Church at 10:00 AM, with interment immediately following at Rural Cemetery.

Perry Funeral Home extends a warm welcome to all attendees. The facility is thoughtfully prepared to accommodate guests with features such as a lighted parking lot and a handicap-accessible ramp and entrance, ensuring comfort and ease for all who come to honor Antonio’s memory.