Ceasar S. Fernandes, 84, passed away peacefully at home holding hands with his wife and his son by his side, also accompanied by his grandson Ryan. He was born on August 13, 1934 in Acushnet Ma, the son of Francisco Soares and Maria Duarte Fernandes of Portugal. He was predeceased by his sister Maria Alves and her husband John, his brothers Antonio, Manuel and his wife Florence, Alfred and his wife Theda, his sister in law Jean, his in- laws Joseph and Anna Krajnak, sister in- law Anna Griffin and brother-in-law Joseph Krajnak. He is survived by his wife, Bernadette, of 62 years. His son Ceasar P. and his wife Laura; Grandsons Ryan, Eric and Jason; and daughter Ann-Marie. He is also survived by his sister Marion McCormick of Holyoke, brother James Fernandes of South Hadley, sister-in-law Florence of South Hadley, Virgil Fernandes and his wife Dolores of Idaho, Joseph Fernandes and his wife Marie of South Hadley. His sister in law Susan and her husband Peter Gazda of Fla., sister in-law Suzanne and several nieces and nephews. A life- long resident of South Hadley, he attended South Hadley schools and Holyoke Trade School Culinary Program. He had a long and distinguished career as a chef, caterer, and served over 30 years as director of the South Hadley Public School Lunch Program. Ceasar's passion was cooking and serving his family, grandchildren, church, the community of South Hadley and his friends. He was an organizer and a volunteer chef cooking the annual St Patrick's corn beef and cabbage dinners for over 25 years, and also at the St Pat's summer Bizarre, the church breakfasts and the Social Center dinner dances. He and his brothers donated, fabricated and constructed the bell tower for St. Michaels Byzantine Catholic Church. Ceasar was a 3rdDegree Knight and member of the K of C Fairview Council 4044 where he was the head Chef from inception until his retirement in 1992. He was also a past president and life time member of the Portuguese American Club in Holyoke where he served as organizer and chef for their many functions. He was very active in the Portuguese community in Ludlow where he catered and fundraised for the Our Lady of Fatima Church. Ceasar loved being called " VoVo" which is Portuguese for grandfather. In fact, his grandsons, their friends and their families all began calling him VOVO as well. He was a very proud grandfather who cherished every moment with his grandsons. Always ready to provide rides and attend hockey, football, basketball, and lacrosse games, practices, school events, and so much more. Ceasar's strong moral values, discipline, hard work, commitment to community and family serve as a lasting memory to his grandsons and his family. The funeral will be held from the Curran-OBrien Funeral Home, 33 Lamb Street, South Hadley Thursday at 9 am followed by a mass at St. Patrick's Church at 10 am. Burial will follow in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Wednesday 4-7 pm. Memorial contributions can be made in the name of Ceasar Fernandes to St. Patrick's Church South Hadley.