from Ancy Paladka, Daijiworld News Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 26: It is indeed sad news for the people of Mumbai and the entire Konkani world. Ardent Konkani supporter William Fernandes (61) of Dombivli is no more. Though his age was 61 he was young and energitic and was moving around like a youngster in his thirties.
Hard-working William had gone to work as usual on Saturday. At 11.00 am at his work place he suddenly collapsed following a heart attack and his end came at once. Though he was taken to the hospital it was too late.
William Fernandes was the strongest pillar of all Konkani activities of Mumbai. This reporter had met him last Sunday at Kalwa near Dombilvli for the cause of Konkani. When suggested ways and means to keep healthy and fit, he said a number of doctors were his customers and his medical check ups were done free of cost.
Until his death, he did not have any ailment. Therefore the news of his death was hard to believe. He had an interesting hobby of collecting news and articles published regarding Konkani activities and filing them. He used to carry these files during Konkani programmes and everyone he showed them were impressed by his work.
Under his leadership the Roman script training programme was organized in Dombivili. He also used to organize several Konkani programmes and was very active at Konkani Masses in Dombivli.
He was a very active member of Maharashtra Konkani Association, Konkani Kalakar Saki Naka and Konkani Bhasha Mandal. He was the sole earning member of his family.
He is survived by wife Prescilla and four daughters Pramila, Priya, Preeti and Pearl.
Funeral will be held in Vithalwadi cemetery, Kalyan at 3.00 pm on Monday August 28.
Phone numbers: Res: + 91 251 2432065, Cell: + 91 9820576532
Address: 3/12 A Pandurang Niwas, 5th Cross Lane, Dombivli East, Thane Dist - 421 201
Additional Inputs by Dr. Eugene D’Souza, M.A., Ph.D.
William Fernandes was born in Konapur in 1944. He was the third son among 13 children of late Mr. Julian Fernandes(Jillu Master) and late Pauline Fernandes. Three of his sisters are nuns: Sr. Millicent and Sr. Lorrin, (Apostolic Carmel), and Sr. Caroline (Holy Cross), presently in Switzerland. One of his brothers, Fr. Valerain is the founder Principal of St. Paul’s High School at Paithan, Aurangabad. Mr. William Fernandes had been a resident of Dombivli for the past four decades.
He was a staunch Konkani promoter. In order to promote Konkani, William founded the Konkani Association and became its first President. Later, the association was registered under the name of “Konkani Cultural and Charitable Association”, of which he became the treasurer. He was an active member of the “Maharashtra Konkani Association”. He used to attend the various conferences organized by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal in Mumbai, Goa and Mangalore. As it is said that charity begins at home, William encouraged his wife, Precilla and four daughters, Parmila, Priya, Preeti and Pearl to take keen interest in Konkani language and various cultural activities.
His daughters not only participated in various competition, be it singing, dancing, debating or acting, but also won a number of prizes. It was due to the efforts of William, the acclaimed Konkani Film “Padri” was shown in Dombivli. William was also active in church activities. With his death we have lost a staunch promoter of Konkani language and culture in Mumbai and Dombivli.