Antonio Fernandes Coelho
"His heart always remained in Madeira"
LOWELL Antonio Fernandes Coelho, 92, a longtime Lowell resident, died Friday, March 25, 2011, at Wingate at Belvidere, after a short illness. For forty eight years, he was the devoted husband of Cecilia D. (Freitas) Coelho who died in June of 2003.
A son of the late Antonio Fernandes Coelho and the late Maria Vargem Silva, he was born November 4, 1918, in Ponta do Sol, Madeira Island, Portugal. At the young age of twenty, Antonio left Madeira to look for bigger opportunities in Santos, Brazil. It was there he joined the U.S. Merchant Marines. Antonio sailed the World including the troubled waters of the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. He continued his service until the early 1970's.
In 1948, he moved to the Red Hook neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, before settling in Massachusetts where he met his wife, Cecilia. In 1960, Antonio and his family moved to Christian Hill in Lowell where he lived until his last days.
Antonio worked as a first class boiler room fireman until his retirement in 1983. A proud Portuguese American Veteran, he frequented the Portuguese American Club on Central Street to reminisce and enjoy coffee with old friends. Antonio loved his family, his yearly trips to Madeira, working in his vegetable garden, making wine, and the sea.
He is survived by his two children, Maria de Lourdes Fernandes Greenwood and Antonio Fernandes Coelho, Jr., both of Lowell; his son in law David Greenwood, who loved him like a father; and his three grandchildren, Alicia Greenwood, Amy Greenwood, and Melanie Coelho.
He was also the grandfather of the late Jennifer Gagne and best friend of the late Manuel Vieira.
Antonio’s family would like to thank the staff at Wingate of Belvidere for their kind and loving support
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS VISITATION FROM 9 UNTIL 11 A.M. ON MONDAY MORNING AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816. HIS FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE AT 11:30 A.M. AT THE FUNERAL HOME. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY. E-CONDOLENCE - MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
