CUMBERLAND

Amadeu Casanova Fernandes, "Professor Casanova," 93, of Cumberland passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Maria L. (Martins) Fernandes and they had been married for the past 67 years.

Born in Sabugal, Portugal, he was the son of the late Manuel and Maria (Casanova) Fernandes. He graduated from the University of Guarda with an Education Degree and went on to teach throughout Portugal. He later settled in Penalva do Castelo where he married, became involved with various organizations in town, and lived for 12 years. It was there that his dedication to his community began.

Amadeu had many interests in life. But above all, education was his passion and mission. In 1966, he migrated to the United States where he was a laborer before opening a driving school in 1969.

In the same year, he reopened the Clube Juventude Lusitania Portuguese School where he taught hundreds of students the language, history, and culture of his beloved Portugal for 22 years. During those years, he also worked with the Portuguese government and met with the president of Portugal to officialize the Portuguese school. At night, he attended classes at Rhode Island College.

Amadeu also worked in the Bilingual Program for the Warren School Department and ended his career in the Cumberland School Department's Bilingual/ESL Department where he worked for 17 years. As a faithful servant to God and parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church, he was also a lector and part of the Finance Committee.

Among his many accomplishments, Amadeu's greatest love and joy was his family, especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who all lovingly called him Papá. He also enjoyed gardening, writing for "The Portuguese Times" and "O Penalvense," cooking, and traveling throughout the United States and Europe.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughter, Dori C. Silva and her husband Philip Silva of Cumberland; his son, Luis M. Fernandes and his wife Anna Maneca Fernandes of Cumberland; his grandchildren, Adam and Alyssa Silva, Cameron and Kyle Fernandes, and great-grandchildren, Rita, Desmond, Lincoln, Declan, Charlotte, Callum and Logan. He was the brother of the late Jose and Dorinda Casanova.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to Amadeu's Life Celebration to be held with Visitation on Thursday, September 28, 2023, from 9 AM to 10:30 AM in the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road Cumberland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, One Fatima Drive Cumberland.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to W.O.W. - Working On Walking, 7 Sneech Pond Road Cumberland, RI 02864, or www.workingonwalking.org.

ONLINE MEMORIAL: jjduffyfuneralhome.com