Gregory Fernandes Murder: Memorial Fund & Mass
The G.O.A. (UK) Board of Directors has decided to start a memorial fund for Gregory Fernandes’ parents and are asking the community here to be generous. They have also arranged with the Catholic Church in Southampton (St Joseph’s Church) to hold a memorial mass there on Sun 9 Dec. at 1.00pm. A coach will leave from Greenford and Tooting Broadway If you are coming, kindly advise Norma Menezes-Rahim (020 – 8771 4457) or Bernie Gracias (020 – 8723 1322)
For more details Click here...........
The children of the nearby school attended a "tree planting" ceremony in front of the hotel where Gregory Fernandes and his fellow crewman had a drink.
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| Local children planting a tree in Gregory's Memory |
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| The hotel that Gregory Fernandes visited just before he was murdered |
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A Tribute of Love in Memory of Gregory Fernandes (R.I.P)
26 April 1975 - 20 October 2007
On Sunday 9th December 2007, Flavio Gracias, the President of the Goan Association (UK), his Board of Directors and members of the Goan Community paid a Tribute of Love in memory of Gregory Fernandes at St Joseph’s Church, Southampton at 1.00pm. Gregory Fernandes, an innocent seaman, tragically lost his life after an unprovoked attack by a gang of youths in the village of Fawley, near Southampton.
Rev Fr. John O’Shea, parish priest of St Joseph’s, very kindly offered the use of the church for this service and the church hall for a reception later. About 100 people attended the service, comprising of a coach load from the London area who were joined by members of the local community from the Southampton area.
Our Goan Chaplain, Rev Fr Francis Rosario, was the Principal Celebrant and he was assisted by Rev Fr Oliver Antao, from the Pilar Mission in Mitcham and Deacon Stephen from the Sacred Heart Mission in Ealing. The choir enhanced the occasion by singing some well known English and Konkani hymns and they were accompanied by Herbert Fernandes on the guitar and son Lloyd on the organ.
Richard Fernandes, the Finance Director, led the tributes to Gregory, whose demise has left his parents shocked and devastated. Not only had they lost their beloved son, but also the family breadwinner. It was therefore important for us to gather here today to demonstrate our solidarity and support for them in their days of grief.
Following the mass, there was a small reception in the church hall where some food, supplied by Bernie’s kitchen, was served to all those gathered. Fr. John spoke to all present and emphasised the total shock that the community had felt following Gregory’s death.
He informed us that, earlier in the month, a candle lit vigil was held in the village of Fawley led by the Anglican priest Rev Barry James. A tree had been planted in Gregory’s memory close to the spot where he was attacked. The residents of Fawley have collected more than £5,600, which is to be shared between Gregory’s parents and Vinod, a fellow crewman who was also attacked, but survived despite being knocked unconscious. Flavio Gracias, President of the GOA, thanked Fr John and all the helpers who assisted with the organisational arrangements for this service and the Southampton Goans for their hospitality.
The crowd then made their way to the Esso refinery and gathered near the spot where Gregory collapsed and died. Once again, Fr Francis Rosario and Fr Oliver Antao led the prayers followed by the singing of the hymn “The Lord is my Shepherd”. A number of floral tributes were laid at at the spot where he fell, marked only by a solitary wreath of poppies.
The day ended in an adjacent hall where Esso very kindly laid on some refreshments. As these were being served, D C Phill Crossland, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, made a short speech informing the crowd of the developments in the investigation to date. Whilst he was anxious not to prejudice the case, he did:
1) apologise for what happened in his village of Fawley.
2) confirm that seven persons have been remanded on police bail and will appear in court in due course.
3) say that the Police were trying to expedite the release of the body so that a burial could take place as soon as possible. A passing motorist rescued Gregory and took him back to the refinery, where Gregory managed to get out from the car and walk to the gates but then collapsed and died.
4) state that one of the obstacles to this case is that there are no injuries which can be easily attributed to his death.
5) contact Gregory’s parents and members of the immediate family to let them know what was happening.
Finally, Flavio Gracias, President of the GOA, presented Phill with a token of appreciation for the hard work that made this visit possible. He also thanked Carol Dunford (Community Officer for Esso) who provided the refreshments and Brian Jones, the Security Manager at the Esso Refinery who tended to Gregory in his final moments.
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| Prayers at the spot where Gregory died |
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| Flowers laid by the people present |
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| Directors who attended the service |
THE GOAN ASSOCIATION (UK) ACKNOWLEDGE WITH THANKS, DONATIONS TO THE GREGORY FERNANDES MEMORIAL FUND AS FOLLOWS:-
The total amount raised to date is £3,000
Vizzy Barreto
Herbert & Jennifer Fernandes
Mervyn & Elsie Maciel
Mungul Union
Chorao UK
2nd Collection – GOA Feast of St Francis Xavier
Raffle – GOA Feast of St Francis Xavier
L L Coutinho
Anonymous
Tim & Alzira Lobo
Siolim Union
Angela & Hilary De Souza
Tony & Jane D’Souza
Maf and Steve d’Sa
Dr Mary & David Carvalho
Paulo Soares
Navelim Union
Mass Collection - Southampton
Pascoal Mascarenhas
Mr E Barros
Ron & Isidora Coelho
Florie Fernandes
Felix Pereira
Benito De Souza
Victor Fernandes
Theresa & Ancet Rodrigues
Caruso & Merlyn Monteiro
Patrick D’Souza (Northampton)
Olga Mistry
Elva & Joe Fernandes
Bucket Collection - Extravaganza
St Diogo’s Association
Martha & Ben Braganza
Yvonne Dias
Friends of Ven Fr Agnelo Committee
AVC Union
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| Angelina Fernandes - Gregory's mother |
23 Feb: BBC. Three teenagers have pleaded guilty to killing Gregory Fernandes in a "racially motivated" attack after he arrived on a ship near Southampton… They had faced a murder charge, which they had denied, and the prosecution accepted the lesser count… Floriano Fernandes, the sailor's father, told the BBC: "Even I've been in England… it wasn't like this before. I felt very safe, but now it seems to be very unsafe place, especially for Indians. 558 words + photographs of three of the accused and Gregory's family in Goa. Click here.
For a BBC video clip of the family's grief in Goa. 2m. 35s. Click here.
For links to more Press Reports click here.
