Obituary of Orlando Elmano Fernandes

Orlando Elmano Fernandes, age 86, of Bridgeport, beloved husband of Ermelinda Joana Gouveia Fernandes, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 17, 2026 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family. Born on March 17, 1940 in Ponta Delgada, Madeira, Portugal, he was a son of the late João Vicente Fernandes and Beatriz Cabral Fernandes. A former member of the Portuguese Army, Elmano immigrated to the United States in 1968 and settled in Bridgeport. Before his retirement, he was a machine operator for Alloy Engineering with over 30 years of dedicated service.

Proud of his Portuguese heritage, he was a long-time member of the Vasco da Gama Club; where he volunteered his time on many committees and events. He was a former president of the club and dedicated his time on the Portuguese Civic League. He was also an active member of the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento in New Bedford, MA. He truly loved spending time at the club with his friends, watching soccer, playing cards and talking of the old country and shared many of these stories and traditions with his children and grandchildren. He loved filling his home with friends and family, proudly preparing his delicious Madeira‑style Espetada, a tradition close to his heart.

Above all things in life, he was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather. He treasured time spent with his family and was at his best when his grandchildren were by his side. Elmano was a hard-working man and provided nothing but the best for his family. The values he instilled and the unconditional love he gave will forever live in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his beloved of wife of 59 years, Ermelinda, survivors include his two loving children, a son, Luis Fernandes and a daughter, Susana Fernandes Stone and her husband Geoff, four cherished and adored grandchildren, Jake, Kayla and Sara Fernandes and Isabela Stone, brothers and sisters, Luís Fernandes and his wife Delphina, Gorette Correia, Maria do Carmo Batista and her husband José António, and Fatima Menino.

He also leaves to cherish his memory, his brothers and sisters-in-law, João Ricardo Oliveira, Manuela Fernandes, Maria Machado, Virginia Oliveira, Antonio Gouveia and his wife Celeste, Angelina Gouveia and Maria Eugenia Gouveia, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased by brothers, João Luís Fernandes, Anibal Fernandes and Leonel Fernandes; sisters, Vanda Oliveira and Leolinda Fernandes and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bernadette Fernandes, Antonio Correia, Zé Fernandes, Ricardo Menino, Luis Gouveia, Pedro Gouveia, Manuel Gouveia, Lionel Machado and Orlando Oliveira.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 429 Huntington Rd., Bridgeport. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Thursday from 4 – 7 p.m. in the funeral home. To leave an online condolence please visit www.abriola.com.