Nicholas E. Fernandes, Sr., 84, passed away peacefully on Feb. 19 surrounded by love in the home he built for his family. He was the husband of Eugenia ‘Jeanne’ (Fontes) with whom he shared 63 years of marriage. One of 15 children of Benjamin & Inez (Santos) Fernandes, he was born, raised and lived in Onset his entire life.

Nicholas attended the Wareham Public Schools where he excelled in sports and became a star athlete in football and basketball. Upon graduating high school he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed at Otis Air Force Base in Bourne.

During his military career he received numerous Commendation Medals and Awards; was selected Special Courier to President John F. Kennedy; travelled to places like Japan, Alaska, Thailand and throughout the U.S.; and was the Southeast Asia Boxing Champion. While serving in the military, he became a Wareham Police Officer where he retired as Sergeant after 31 years of dedicated service to the community he loved. He also worked with adolescents at the Key Program in Fall River for 18 years.

He earned a Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement at age 55. He was a life member and Past Commander of the Dudley L. Brown VFW Post No. 2846; appointed to the Schooner Ernestina Commission by Governor William Weld; First Chairman of the WAA and was a member on numerous committees and boards throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife; his children, Cheryl Gomes and her husband Donald of Onset, Denise Fernandes of Onset, Robin Andrews and her husband Frank of Wareham, Bonnie Filkins and her finance Gerald of Onset, Joy Goncalves and her husband Henrique of Buzzards Bay, Nicholas E. Fernandes, Jr and his wife Jacqueline of Sandwich and Lynn Roderick of Onset; his grandchildren, Keri, Shannen, Gena, Mercedes, Jillian, Hilary, Vernon, Lauren, Henrique, Nicholas, Rachel, Gabrielle, and Elijah; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Also survived by his sisters Mary Fontes of Onset, Janet Filkins of W.Wareham, Minniet Pilgrim and her husband Hugh of Wareham, Sheila Gordon of Randolph and Beverly Fernandes of Santa Barbara, CA; his sister-in-laws Rose and Charlotte Fernandes of Stoughton and Sylvina Fernandes of Taunton. He was predeceased by his brothers; John, Frank, Benjamin, Amos, Isabelle, Thomas, Earl, William and Hope; grandson Wayne; great-grandaughter Gabrielle and many nieces, nephews and relatives.

His funeral will be from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rte 28), Wareham on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015 at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church, Onset Avenue in Onset at 10 a.m.. Visiting hours will be Monday, Feb. 23, 2015 from 4 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.

Donations in his memory may be made to Boys & Girls Club, 13 Highland Avenue, Onset, MA 02558.