at home surrounded by his loving family on June 5, 2021.
Ed was born at home in Danbury on December 10, 1930 to Edwin George Fernand, Sr. and Josephine (Murphy) Fernand. He was educated in Danbury schools and graduated from Danbury High School in 1948. He received his BS from Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD where he was captain of the track and cross country teams.
Ed received his MD from Yale Medical School in 1955 and did his internship and residency at St. Vincent's Hospital in NY from 1955-1960. He was an instructor in surgery at NYU Medical School from 1959-1960, a diplomat of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Board of Surgery. Ed served as a Captain in the US Air Force from 1960-1962 and was stationed in Goose Bay Labrador where he also served as a consultant to the Royal Canadian Air Force.
In 1962 Ed returned to Danbury and opened his own surgical practice and several years later joined Danbury Surgical Associates where he continued to practice until 1997. He was active at Danbury Hospital during those years and served as Chief of Surgery, Chairman of the Emergency Department and Chairman of the Renal Dialysis Committee. Ed served as President of the medical staff from 1979 to 1981 and also managed the Quality Assurance Program for the Department of Surgery as Assistant to the Chief of Surgery.
Dr. Fernand was a dedicated surgeon and enjoyed doing what he loved best. He looked forward to getting up every day and caring for his patients as well as being on call for emergencies. He was known as “fast Eddie” by his colleagues due to his efficiency and expertise at performing surgeries quickly and with excellent results.
Ed served on the Danbury Board of Education as Chairman and Vice Chairman from 1966-1972. He and his late wife, Patricia, were founding members of DAYO, Danbury Athletic Youth Organization. He was a member of the Ridgewood Country Club and the Candlewood Lake Club and attended and supported the Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in New Milford.
Ed was an avid golfer and wintered and golfed in Venice, FL. He played many years at the Ridgewood and enjoyed playing the CLC course in his senior years with the men's group, his children and many guests. He was the 2007 CLC Men's Senior Club Champion and was runner up Senior Champion on several occasions at both the RCC and CLC. He excelled in doing crossword puzzles, especially the Sunday NY Times, had five newspapers delivered daily and his day would not begin until they were all completed. He was a loving husband, and devoted father to his children, grandchildren, great granddaughter and step children and step grandchildren. He enjoyed having family gatherings which were frequent at the lake house. He and Linda shared a wonderful life together in their later years, traveled frequently and enjoyed welcoming each new member of the family as it grew.
Ed was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia (Molloy) Fernand, his son, Adam Fernand, and his sister, Mary-Jane Duffy. He is survived by five children: Lori Fernand Glenn (Mike Glenn), Greg (Mary) Fernand, Mark (Dawn) Fernand, Mike (Sue) Fernand, Amy Boulton (Wayne) and daughter-in-law Valerie Fernand; three step children: Debbie Finan (Bill), Greg (Michele) Straiton and Brian (Denise) Straiton. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, seven step-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins.
There will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Thursday June 10th at Saint Gregory the Great Church, 85 Great Plain Road, Danbury. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be made to RVNA Health, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877 or online at rvnahealth.org.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.thegreenfuneralhome.com .
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RVNA Health27 Governor Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877
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