We led a life of ‘sink or swim together’ for 47 long years

This is a tribute to my beloved husband, Trevor Felician Fernando on his 81st birth anniversary which falls on January 18, 2021. He passed away on September 8, last year, causing a great vacuum in our hearts. He was a person with a heart of gold, who never said ‘No’ to anyone who stretched out their hands to him for help, whether they were kith or kin. This was his nature. It was not for nothing that his mother at times called him “God’s cheerful giver”. I am thankful to her for having brought forth into this world a son of his calibre.

One among his most meritorious and generous deeds was building the ‘Aloka Elders’ Home’ in August 2019 in Sadharama Mawatha, Panadura for homeless and helpless elders. This was the biggest ambition of his life.

He led a moderately healthy life, always keeping a low profile. His simplicity was a remarkable feature in him; his doors were always open to everyone, rich or poor. He treated all alike.

He was a practising Roman Catholic never missing a Sunday Mass at All Saints Church, Borella until the very last stages. He made very generous contributions to the Catholic Church. He also had the good fortune to seek the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the very miraculous Velankanni church in India a few years ago.

Although he was a staunch Catholic his destiny made him seek a Buddhist as his life partner in marriage, and he and I led a life of ‘sink or swim together’ for 47 long years. He was a very accommodating husband and had tremendous confidence in me.

Though we belonged to two different faiths, being a Catholic never prevented him from participating in Buddhist activities which included a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya (Buddha Gaya), India where he took part in Buddhist rituals.

He was a very simple and a humble person with a genuine character, extremely honest in all his dealings. He was never avaricious or revengeful but never failed to call a spade a spade. He may have had his failings, but no human being is perfect.

In sickness and health, he was a source of strength to me, supporting me in every respect. He was the cause for my living. Now I am like an anchorless boat because he was my whole world. May he reach eternal happiness in the world beyond.

He leaves a grieving wife, sorrowing brothers and sisters, a godson and other family members.

May he find peace in God’s keeping and may his Merciful Lord grant him eternal rest.

He remains in our hearts forever. Leela Fernando (nee Dharmabandu)