Roque Fernandes

Roque Fernandes, passed away at the age of 97. He was born in Beira Mozambique, and was the oldest of eight children born to the late, Pascoal Domingos and Ermelinda Pereira Fernandes.  Roque peacefully departed from this world on January 29, 2024, in Spartanburg, SC with family by his side. He was a resident of Spartanburg for the last 41 years.

Roque Fernandes was a kind and beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His legacy is marked by his simplicity, his extraordinary capacity for love and his ability to fight through any hardship with such a zeal and adherence to the Lord. As a husband and father, he provided stability and unwavering love. His marriage and parenting were the gold standard. As a grandfather, Roque imparted his values and the essence of a true gentleman to his grandsons. Later in life as a great-grandfather, Roque shared his humor, wisdom, and generosity. His faith and tenacity to emulate Christ was evident in everything he did.

He left an indelible mark on the lives of his son, Domingos Sávio Fernandes (Yolanda), his daughter, Dalila Gomes (Stanley),  three grandchildren, David (Anna) Gomes, Daniel (Amanda) Gomes and Steven Fernandes, six great-grandchildren: Alexandria Steinbach, Adianna Steinbach, Eden Gomes, Gabriel Roque Gomes, Danielle Gomes, and Silas Gomes. He will be missed by his sister, Tutucha D’Silva, three brothers, António Fernandes, José Fernandes and Agnelo Fernandes and a large extended family.   

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 48 years, Ana Fernandes who passed away in 2004, and his sisters, Rosy Rebelo, Buchana Fernandes and Pascoela Fernandes.   

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, February 2, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, in the new sanctuary.  Father David R. Whitman officiating. The family will be at the home of the daughter.