If one were to ever cross paths with Diogo Piedade Jose Simplicio Fernandes, the first thing that would immediately draw them towards him was his endearing nature.
A devout Catholic till his last breath, Diogo, also fondly known as Peter, breathed his last on June 18, 2022, in Kolkata, all 103 years young, leaving behind a loving wife, Mary, a fellow Aldoncar, his three children Ashley, Allen and Beverly and family, with a legacy to carry forward, for his country, and his home state, Goa.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
With his roots in Quitula, Fernandes’s initial years were spent in Portuguese Goa, learning the values of discipline and hard work from the school he attended in Aldona. After losing both his parents, he found himself without a parental shadow to rush to, but he didn’t lose faith. He kept his faith in God’s plan which saw him move to the City of Joy, Kolkata, so culturally different from his beloved Goa. His remaining formative years were spent receiving some of the best education from St James School and St Lawrence, both aiding him in his quest to become a true gentleman. His old Alma Mater, St Lawrence invited and honoured their oldest living student during their Platinum Jubilee celebrations. On his 100th birthday, he was honored and presented a plaque by both the Rotary Club of Kolkata Conclave, The Open Arms Educational and Charitable Trust, besides others for his selfless service to society. An ardent follower of St Francis Xavier, Dominic Savio and with his family as his backbone, he kept doing his bit for the society with philanthropic endeavors that made him so memorable.
A humble bystander to India’s history
Born in 1919, his eyes were a witness to the changing landscapes of India’s history, watching it transition from the colonial to the post-colonial era, leaving the shackles of British rule and gain its Independence in 1947. But the history hasn’t been easy for Fernandes as he had to see, both the Wars, the First World War and the Second World War, India’s Independence Struggle, the horrors of the Partition, the Goan Liberation movement, the horrifying Bengal Famine, to even the very recent global pandemic. He experienced and survived it all.
Having seen India go through such a vast tide of changes, Fernandes’s heart, beat for his motherland more strongly, making him not to take further career positions or Portuguese citizenship, in spite of his close association with the Portuguese Consulate which he served as the Consul General from 1952 to 1958, Secretary and other capacities in pre-Goan Liberation era.
But his sentiments about the Goa’s Liberation were strong and inspired by writings and speeches of fellow Goans like Francisco Luis Gomes, Luis de Menezes Braganza, Tristao de Braganca Cunha and others, his patriotic spirit only intensified. Being an Indian first, Fernandes was ever-enthusiastic about the democratic process and took part in the first-ever General Elections as a politically-aware 33-year-old and ensured that he didn’t skip any elections, Municipal, State or Centre, till his demise, as well.
During the Second World War, he served the Royal Indian Navy in a non-combat position and eventually as a member of the Portuguese Consulate, he helped many Goans flee Burma (now Myanmar) after the Japanese attack, providing them a safe passage to Goa and Bombay. Other than his patriotic leanings, his caring and loving nature also saw him work with St Mother Teresa as well when she was starting her order of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata to help the poor and the down-trodden and look after the underprivileged children.
A true Goan at heart
Although he found solace in Kolkata, his pining for Goa never ceased. In fact, his final visit to Goa was when he was all of 100, just before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, where he stayed with his son, Ashley, in Caranzalem and daughter, Beverly, at Aldona. Even till the day he passed away, his longing for Goa was palpable as the memories would often rise, of the people, places, food, culture and the warmth that ever-radiates from the shores of the coastal state.
Quite a connoisseur of food, his taste buds had a special spot for Goan cuisine and he had an unparalleled love for the occasional chicken cafreal, pork vindaloo, pomfret rechado or sorpotel. Being a sweet aficionado as well, he wouldn’t hesitate before indulging in bebinca, dodol or doce, all of which he loved dearly and tied him closer to his Goan roots because as they say, you can take a Goan out of Goa, but never take Goa out of a Goan.
He would say, “Be the reason that someone believes in the goodness of people. Never stop being a good person because of bad people or your bad experiences.” Fernandes lived his life by example and with the simple outlook to create a difference in the other’s life, come what may. To celebrate Fernandes’ great chapter of life, his last journey was held on June 20 with the blessings of the Archbishop of Kolkata, his Grace Thomas D’Souza, who shared a loving relationship with Fernandes, often calling him ‘Daddy’. The Archbishop concelebrated the Eucharistic Mass with seven priests besides personally presiding over his burial too. Ashley gave a beautiful heartfelt eulogy and fitting tribute to his father during his last journey and the Month’s Mind Mass.
With Fernandes leaving the mortal realm, his family, friends and everyone whose life he touched, are blessed with his memories and a legacy to serve people first. Even after he is no more, his legend will continue to remain.
(The writer is a sports and culture journalist and a close friend of the Fernandes family)
