Antonio "Tony" Conceicao Fernandes was born in Quinta Grande, Madeira, Portugal on December 8, 1933 to Antonio and Luisa Isabella Fernandes. One of the youngest of eight children, he lived an adventurous life, traveling to So. Africa where he lived and worked for many years before emigrating to the United States in the 1960's, first to New Bedford and then to Fall River, in the 1970's, where he lived for many years and died at home on June 3, 2008. Very proud of his Madeiran Heritage, Tony was an active member of the club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento in New Bedford and served many times on that club's committees for the feast of the Blessed Sacrament – most recently in 2006 – and was feast president for the year 1990. Tony enjoyed gardening and, for several decades, he grew all the flowers that were used to decorate Immaculate Conception Church for the feast held each August. He grew all these flowers at his home and did the floral arrangements which adorned the Church and added so much to the beautiful atmosphere of the weekend celebrations. Tony is survived by his sister Celeste Fernandes, half-sister Maria Abreu, stepmother Julia Gonsalves, all of Fall River, many nieces, nephews and cousins in the United States and Madeira Island, and his close friends, devoted caregivers, Antonio and Kelly Vieira. He was also predeceased by sister Madelena Gomes and several other siblings. His funeral Mass, celebrated by Father James Ferry, was offered in Espirito Santo Church on Saturday (6/7). A delegation from the Holy Name Society was in attendance. Pallbearers Antonio, Victor, and Fabio Vieira, Derek and Derek Vasconcelos and David Souza brought Tony to his final resting place at Notre Dame Cemetery.