University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Archives and Special Collections Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives. Joseph E.

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1 University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Archives and Special Collections Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives Joseph E. Fernandes papers MC 99/PAA Extent: 7 boxes Biographical note: Joseph Fernandes is best known as the founder and CEO of the Fernandes Supermarket chain, which he started in 1947 when he took over his father s grocery store in Norton. The chain eventually grew to 37 stores, employing over 2,700 people in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He sold the chain in Mr. Fernandes was born in the Madeira Islands, Portugal, on March 12, 1923, the son of José and Rosa (Teixeira) Fernandes. He immigrated to the United States when he was only 18 months old and lived most of his life in Norton, Massachusetts. He graduated from Boston University in 1947 with a bachelor s in business administration, attending after distinguished service in the U.S. Army during World War II. Active in the retail food industry, Fernandes was co-founder and director of the Staff Super Market Associates, served as vice president of the Super Market Management Association, and served on the board of directors for the Food Marketing Institute as well as the Massachusetts Retail Grocers Association. He also served as president of the International Association of Chain Stores. Active in the Portuguese community, Mr. Fernandes was the founding president of the Portuguese American Federation and was instrumental in developing the television program The Portuguese Around Us (see MC 77) which aired on WTEV in New Bedford and later Full Channel TV in Warren, Rhode Island. He served as chairman of the Portuguese Cultural Union and was a member of the Portuguese Heritage Foundation. He received many awards, most notably the Order of Prince Henry Society s Man of the Year in 1995 and the Peter Francisco Award in His civic activities included chairman of the Norton School Committee, chairman of the Norton Historical Commission, and member of the town industrial commission. He was an active member of the Republican Club of Massachusetts and ran for Massachusetts State Treasurer in Scope and Contents Note: The collection consists of photographs, awards, newspaper clippings, Fernandes Supermarkets newsletters, and video recordings. Creator: Joseph E. Fernandes ( ) Date: Access: unrestricted Language: Materials in English and in Portuguese. Acquisition: Gift of the Estate of Joseph E. Fernandes, through Marcia Fernandes, 2007

2 Repository: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives, Claire T. Carney Library, 285 Old Westport Road, N. Dartmouth, MA Telephone: Processed by: Judy Farrar, May 2010 Item list Series 1 Documents, correspondence and clippings Box 1, Folder # 1 Three United State passports, J. Fernandes, 1977, 1983 and One Portuguese passport, J. Fernandes, Letters regarding the strike, Press release, Weaknesses in State Treasurer s office, Boston University diploma in Business Administration, Testimonial dinner program, Silver Jubilee in the Episcopate, program, Cardinal Medeiros Remembered, Knight Candidate (Fernandes), Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Clippings about Big Joe s Market 11 Remembrances, 2007 Fernandecnotes, (store newsletter) April 12, 1963 issue (Box 2, oversized) Newspaper clippings (multiple folders, in map case) Rocky Marciano caricature, pen and ink, framed (in map case in folder) Series II Photographs 55 photographs commemorating various special occasions, and aerial views of the stores (Box 3, photo box) 1 panoramic photo of the Supermarket Institute Annual Banquet (in map case) 1 panoramic photo of Company B, R.O.T.C., Fort Meade, MD, July 1947 (in map case) 1 color portrait of Fernandes with mother, Rosa

3 1 photo album of 62 photos and several pieces of memorabilia, C.I.E.S. Annual meeting in London, June 1969 (International Association of Chain Stores, J. Fernandes, president) (Box 2, oversized) 1 color photo of Fernandes receiving communion from the Pope in Boston, undated, framed (Box 4, oversized) Series III Videorecordings Box 5 R. Miller personal Prince Henry Society Man of the Year, 9/18/92 Check Robot Automated Checkout Machines Senator John and Mae Parker Dinner, J. Fernandes, toastmaster, 3/3/89 New England Academy recital, 1991 C.I.E.S. Video News, 4/91 Full Channel TV program (content? Undated) The Boston Legacy: The Portuguese, WCVB-tv channel 5 program (not sure if we have permission to retain this) Series IV Awards and memorabilia Box 1 Folder # 12 Delta Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, certificate, American Legion, Certificate of continuous membership, Marquis Who s Who in American, certificates, / / , Order of Prince Henry certificate, Republican Presidential Task Force, certificate, Congressional Certificate of Appreciation, Republican National Committee, certificate, Ellis Island certificate 20 Republican Presidential Task Force, certificate with photo of presidents, [1991] 21 Who s Who in the Republican Party, 1991

4 FEMA, Membership certificate, National Defense Executive Reserve, 1984 (Box 2, oversized) Mounted or framed awards and memorabilia Box 1: Stonehill College Testimonial Dinner, in vinyl booklet with program and seating list, 1974 Community Service Award from the RI Treasurer s office, 1999, in embossed folder Box 4: State of Israel bonds, bronze medal in black shadowbox frame, with plaque, 1972 Portuguese American Federation, First Annual Award, 1967, mounted on wood Stonehill College, bronze medallion mounted on wooden plaque, for service to the Executive Committee for Development, undated Boston University service to the Board of Visitors, mounted, Box 2 Commonwealth of Mass. Medal of Merit Framed storage: Prince Henry society, bronze medal and photos, framed, 1999 (ON DISPLAY) Commonwealth of Mass. Golden Dome Citation, framed with quill pen, 1965 (ON DISPLAY) Supermarket News ad page with J. Fernandes featured, laminated on board, undated (ON DISPLAY) Telegram and letter from Edward Kennedy, framed with 1979 campaign button (ON DISPLAY) Artifacts (mostly awards and medallions) Box 6: Fernão de Magalhães, bronze medallion, in box Award for Excellence in Portuguese American Trade, Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, medallion in box Casa Pia Athletic Club, bronze medallion in black box, 1970 Escola de Sagres, bronze medallion in box

5 Stonehill College Presidential Award, medallion, 1974 Salve Regina Board of Trustees, commemorative paperweight, C.I.E.S.Presidency ( ), silverplate globe mounted on wood Mass Food Association Hall of Fame, 1999, glass apple mounted on wood Unknown medallion, loose Man of the Year, 1964 Associaçao dos Bombeiros Voluntarios Madeirenses Name tag with ribbon from Fernandes Markets, undated Match book with J. Fernandes photo Name plate Chairman of the Board Bronze desk nameplate, J.Fernandes (ON DISPLAY) Miniature branding iron (?) with JEF initials Box 7: Silverplate bowl, Food Forum panelist, 1968 Silverplate bowl, BCDC Spirit of Preservation and Natural History, 1989