Born in São João da Fresta, Portugal, son of the late Francisco da Cunha and Maria do Ceu (da Fonseca) da Cunha, he came to the United States in 1969 and settled in New Bedford. While in Portugal, he was a member of the Portuguese Army.
Mr. Cunha had worked at Chamberlain Manufacturing until it closed, then worked in the field of landscaping for which he had a passion.
Fernando first and foremost loved his family and enjoyed life to its fullest. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, loved animals and was a huge fan of Benfica. He enjoyed dancing with his wife and having fun at local feasts. In younger years, he played the harmonica.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Eduardo Cunha and his wife Piedade of Fairhaven and Antonio Cunha and his companion Heather of New Bedford; his daughter-in-law, Gabriela Cunha of Acushnet; three sisters, Pascolina Costa of Fairhaven, Ivone Pereira and her husband Antonio of Acushnet and Maria Pinto of New Bedford; five grandchildren, Roger Cunha and his wife Carol of Acushnet, Melissa Morin and her husband Craig of New Bedford, Allison Shivers and her husband Matthew of Fairhaven, Ashley Cunha and her husband Thomas Vinagre of Dartmouth and Neil Cunha of Fairhaven; nine great-grandchildren and one on the way; and several nieces and nephews. He was father of the late Rogerio F. Cunha who passed away in 2017 and brother of five late siblings.
His Funeral will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 8 a.m. from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Fairlawn, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven followed by a Funeral Mass at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, 136 Earle St., New Bedford. Burial in Acushnet Cemetery. Visiting hours Friday 4-8 p.m. Flowers welcome or donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 260 Cochituate Rd., #200, Framingham, MA 01701. For online tributes please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com
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American Diabetes Association260 Cochituate Road #200, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701
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