Joseph Ernest Fernandes, 78, of Carolina Shores, NC passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, “Brunswick House” following a lengthy illness.

Born in Bridgeport, Ct., on August 16, 1948, Joe, as he was affectionately known, was a son of the late Manuel and Beatrice Ellis Fernandes.

Joseph was a proud US Coast Guard veteran and was a retired Electrical Engineer. He was employed by Mobil Oil Chemicals in Stratford, Connecticut, and later by Omega Engineering in Stamford. On weekends, he loved shopping and cooking, repairing computers, and doing all types of household handyman chores. He could fix anything. Upon retirement and after his illnesses and disability, he enjoyed shopping on QVC, gameshows, and Hallmark movies.

Surviving are his loving wife of 41 years, Lois A. Fernandes, his very loving and attentive son Joseph, and his wife Janette, their two children Spencer and Britney, and two great grandsons. He is also survived by his son Craig, his wife Stacy, and their child Sydney.

A memorial mass is being celebrated on Friday, August 28, 11:00 am at Our Lady Star of The Sea Catholic Church, North Myrtle Beach, SC.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made on his name to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, at https://t2t.org/. The family expresses gratitude to care giver Ricki Sellers, Dr. Daniel Blizzard, the staff of McCleod Seacoast Hospital, and Lower Cape Fear Life Care Hospice Center who showed care and concern to both Joe and Lois.

Online condolences are encouraged and may be sent to the family at www.fulwoodfuneralservice.com

Michael J Fulwood Funeral & Cremation Service