Fernando DeCarvalho

Fernando Manuel Da Silva De Carvalho passed away suddenly on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the
Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ. He was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and was the only child of
Olinda (Da Silva) De Carvalho Rodrigues and the late Manuel Augusto Alves De Carvalho.
Fernando's father did not live to see his son as he died 10 days before Fernando's birth.
Fernando's mother brought him to the United States at the age of 4 so that he could have a
better life and more opportunities. Surrounded by a devoted mother, a loving extended family,
and a supportive Portuguese American community, Fernando grew up to love his adopted
country yet remained grounded in his Portuguese heritage. Part of that heritage was a strong
sense of faith. Fernando attended a Catholic elementary school, served as an altar boy, and
graduated from Archbishop Malloy High School in Queens, New York. He matriculated at The
Cooper Union, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1989. While at Cooper,
he made many lifelong friends. After graduation, Fernando started working for Merck & Co.,
first as an engineer and project manager. While working full-time at Merck, he earned his MBA
at Rutger's Business School. He then transferred to Merck's manufacturing division, working in
supply chain management until his death. Fernando was recognized professionally and
appreciated personally for his intelligence, vision, dedication and kindness. A colleague said
Fernando could breakdown even the most complex problems into a simple and elegant solution.
Fernando met the love of his life, Michele Rooney, in December 1996 while attending a party
hosted by his college friends Ron and Michelle Adrezin. Michele attended the same party with
her medical school friend, Dr. Conway Yee, whom Dr. Adrezin had known since grammar
school. Fernando and Michele found that they had much in common, including their birthdays!
The relationship blossomed quickly, and they were soon eager to start their lives together. In
the presence of family and friends, the two were married on November 15, 1997, at the Church
of the Presentation RC Church in Upper Saddle River, NJ. After honeymooning in Saint Lucia,
they settled in Mahwah, NJ. Fernando and Michele were not blessed with children. The void
was filled one day when Michele brought home a stray cat. While Fernando was not initially a
cat enthusiast, he was quickly converted. "Kitty" became the baby of the family, keeping
Fernando company once he started working mostly from home.
In his younger years, Fernando was active with his "Cooper Gang", hiking in Maine on Labor
Day weekend, digging for clams on Long Island, and attending Christmas and New Year's Eve
parties. He also loved to travel and attend celebrations with his large extended family of
cousins. When Fernando's health curtailed many of his more active adventures, he enjoyed
watching movies and rooting for the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Flyers. He also
loved watching the FIFA World Cup, S.L. Benfica, and the Portugal national football team (aka
soccer).
Fernando will always be remembered for his dedication to his family and the way he always put
others first. We could not have asked for a better son, husband, brother, uncle, great uncle, cousin, and friend.
Fernando will be missed every day, and his memory will live on in the hearts
of all who loved him. He was preceded in death by his father, his stepfather Manuel Antonio
Rodrigues, and his uncle Artur Lopes. Fernando leaves behind his wife of 26 years, Michele,
his mother Olinda, his aunt Matilde Lopes, his cousin Jason Lopes, his uncle Abilio Denis Da
Silva, and many other cousins, family and friends. Fernando was the cherished son-in-law of
Dolores Rooney and beloved brother-in-law of Thomas Rooney, Jr., Laura (Rooney) Barron,
and Robert Barron. Fernando also enjoyed being an uncle to Rebecca Barron and Stephen and
Sarah (Stenchever) Barron as well as great uncle to Stella Barron.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Vander
Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481. A funeral mass will be held at
10:00 AM on April 11, 2024, at the Church of the Presentation RC Church, 271 W. Saddle River
Rd., Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. Interment will immediately follow at the Maryrest
Cemetery, 770 Darlington Ave., Mahwah, NJ 07430.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Fernando DeCarvalho, please visit our floral store.