Obituary of Fernando Gomes

Funeral has been changed to Wednesday, March 15th. Visitation from 10 - 11:30 AM Funeral Mass at 12 Noon. Fernando Gomes, a man devoted to his family and his faith, passed away at the Winchester Nursing Home with his family by his side on Saturday morning, March 11, 2017, he was 92 years old. Fernando was born and raised on the island of Madeira, Portugal. He was one of five children born to the late Fernando and Guilhermina. At the age of 27, he married his wife Olinda. They raised their large family in a small two-bedroom home in Madeira. Fernando worked as a chef and an electrician to provide for his family. In 1973, the opportunity arose to come to America and he decided it was time to make a better life for his family, and fulfill one of his dreams. On August 26, 1973, at the age of 49 and not speaking any English, Fernando, Olinda and six of their eight children came to the United States and settled in Woburn, while the two eldest sons remained in Portugal to fulfill their military obligations. Upon completion of their service, Delfim remained in Madeira while Jorge immigrated to America to join his family. Fernando was a selfless man, he worked hard to provide for his family and made many sacrifices throughout his life always wanting to make a better life for his wife and children. He had old school values and firmly believed that family and faith in God always came first. Fernando was a devout Catholic and never missed Mass or the Sacraments. Throughout his life he would say his daily rosary. His favorite Portuguese saying was “Se não tens fé, não tens nada” which translates to “If you don’t have faith, you don’t have anything”. Fernando was a longtime member of the Portuguese American Club in Woburn. When he retired, he worked part-time as a bartender at the Portuguese American Club and as a custodian at dataCon. He made many friends throughout the years at the Club and enjoyed playing dominos and cards with them. He continued the tradition at the nursing home, playing dominos every Friday with his son-in-law, Julio. Fernando spent the last nine years at the Winchester Nursing Center where he received wonderful and loving care from the staff. Fernando, a man of many nicknames including “Papa Gomes” and “Patrão”, was proud to see that all the sacrifices he made throughout his life positively impacted the lives of his eight children. He was also proud to see the legacy of the Gomes family continue through the lives of his 26 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Fernando was the beloved husband of late Maria Olinda (Vieira). Loving father of Jorge & his wife Ana of Easton, Delfim & his wife Adriana of Portugal, Fatima Aguiar & her husband Julio of Woburn, Andrea & her fiancé Adrian Luoni of Hudson, NH, Eusebio “Zeb” & his wife Michelle of Wilmington, Maria “Josie” Hodgdon of Woburn, Roy & his wife Barbara of Woburn and Joseph “Joe” of Woburn. He is survived by his brother João of Madeira, Portugal, 26 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. One of 5 children born to the late Fernando & Guilhermina. A visitation will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt., 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday March 15 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Charles Church, 280 Main St., Woburn at Noon. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. In lieu of flowers memorials in Fernando’s name may be made to Winchester Nursing Center Activity Fund, 223 Swanton St., Winchester, MA 01890