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With heavy hearts we said goodbye to our beloved Husband, Dad, Grandpa and “Boo Boo”, Raymond George Fernandes. He gave selflessly of himself for God, his family, friends, community, his country and total strangers. He never asked for anything in return. He never had an unkind word and was always very interested to know you and keep you as a friend. Ray passed away peacefully on October 26, 2016 at the age of 83 with his family at his side at Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson. Ray was born in Turlock on May 21, 1933, the only child of John and Georgina Fernandes. He graduated from Turlock High in 1951 and Modesto Junior College in 1953 where he played outfield for the MJC Pirates baseball team. After graduating from MJC, he served in the US Army, Air Defense Artillery Unit from 1953-1955. He married the love of his life Loretta Soares on May 26, 1957 in Turlock. They raised four children and Ray was always involved in their school and sports activities and coached both of his son’s Little League teams. Ray himself played softball until he was 75. After a 35 year career with Pac Bell/AT&T, Ray retired in 1990. Retirement only meant that he could spend ample time volunteering for Salvation Army, United Samaritans, Meals on Wheels and many other organizations. Somehow he still found time to help out in his grandchildren’s classrooms. An avid SF Giants fan, Ray was able to attend one last game at AT&T Park on Aug. 31. He was also a HUGE Turlock High Sports booster (Go Bulldogs!). Ray was a member of Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Past President of Toastmasters and SIRS. He was a past member of Turlock Golf & Country Club. Ray is survived by his wife of 59 years Loretta, children Raelyn (Jim) Jimenez, Mike Fernandes, Lori (Gerrit) Dorrepaal and Ted Fernandes, grandchildren Nicole (Ryan) Bullard, Cecilia Fernandes, Kayla Fernandes, John Fernandes, Matthew Fernandes, Hailey Fernandes, Reese Dorrepaal, Nick Dorrepaal and Luke Fernandes, great grandsons Jack & Reid Bullard. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 4, with a Rosary to follow at 7 p.m. at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock, CA. Funeral mass will be held at 12 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1200 Lyons Ave., Turlock, CA. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ray Fernandes Memorial Baseball Scholarship, C/O Turlock High School, 1600 E. Canal Drive, Turlock, CA 95380 or Alexander Cohen Hospice House, C/O Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.

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Raymond George Fernandes

May 5, 1933 - October 26, 2016