Francis Carl " Frank" Fernandes

Francis Carl Fernandes passed away peacefully in Tallahassee, FL, on May 26, 2023. Known to many as “Frank,” he was born in 1936, to Fernando Fernandes and Giuseppina Cappadona in Yonkers, NY. His parents were both immigrants from Europe, with his father from Lisbon, Portugal, and his mother from the island of Stromboli, Italy. Frank was the youngest of five children and was raised to appreciate and enjoy both his Portuguese and Italian heritage. Frank’s career included 40 years of military service as a Aircraft Mechanic, a Flight Engineer, and a Pilot with the United States Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and New York Air National Guard. Frank’s notable missions included the support of the European Airlift in 1960, the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the Vietnam War in the 1960s and the Gulf War in 1990. His notable service medals include the Meritorious Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. Frank retired as a Colonel in 1995. Frank’s military career was paralleled by a 20 year law enforcement career with the City of Yonkers Police Department. He was awarded the NY City Merit Citation for his contribution with the arrest of David Berkowitz, the self proclaimed “Son of Sam.” Frank retired from YPD in 1985 as a Detective Lieutenant. While working full time, Frank earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He eventually earned a Master's Degree in Military Science from the American Military University. After Frank moved to Florida, when he wasn’t spending time playing golf or his beloved Organ, he worked as a Commercial Airline Pilot, a Police Academy Instructor, and as a Director of a halfway house with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Although Frank became a Floridian, he was always a lifelong NY Yankees and NY Giants fan. Frank moved to Tallahassee in 2020 to spend his remaining years near his son. Frank is survived by his children, Felicia (Bill) Kopelman of Chapin, South Carolina, and Fred (Kym) Fernandes of Tallahassee. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Michael, Danny, A.J., and Francesca. He also leaves behind his beloved significant other, Doreen Grand-Jean, whom he knew as a teenager in Yonkers. They lost touch for decades, only to reconnect in the last fifteen years of his life. The family would like to thank the staff of HCA Florida Capital Cardiology Specialists as well as staff members at Villas of Killearn Lakes, Homeinstead of Tallahassee, Capital Square Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility, and Big Bend Hospice for their loving care in Frank’s last months. A mass of Christian burial will be held at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More Catholic Church of Tallahassee on Friday, June 9, 2023 at 10:00 AM followed by a full military honors burial at the Tallahassee National Cemetery at 1:00 PM. Livestreaming of the service at the church will be available ay the following link, https://venue.streamspot.com/event/MzkyMTc2MA==. Todd Wahlquist is assisting the Fernandes family with their arrangements (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com).

Tributes

Francis Carl " Frank" Fernandes

October 4, 1936 - May 26, 2023