Rhode Island was shocked to learn on Saturday night that former Providence city solicitor and candidate for Attorney General, Joe Fernandez, passed away – leaving his wife Emily and his two young daughters Coco and Phoebe.
Joe was a tremendous community leader, legal mind and generous human being. The state and the nation mourn the loss of such a young and promising leader.
The Providence Journal had this:
President Obama on Sunday joined in mourning the death of Joseph M. Fernandez, the former Providence city solicitor and unsuccessful candidate for attorney general.
“I was shocked and saddened to learn today of the passing of my friend and colleague Joe Fernandez,” Obama said in a statement.
Fernandez, who was 46, died Saturday at Miriam Hospital after a short illness.
“From our time together in law school to his work as a dedicated public servant in Providence, I knew Joe as someone who had lived the American dream and was committed to protecting it for his fellow citizens,” the President said.
“He will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s wife, Emily, and two young daughters in these most trying of times.”
In addition to being Obama’s law school classmate, Fernandez had served at co-chair of Obama’s presidential campaign in Rhode Island.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday morning, December 23, at Central Congregational Church in Providence.
Calling hours will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening, December 22, at Monahan Drabble Sherman, 230 Waterman Street, Providence (Wayland Square).
Donations may be made to The Coco and Phoebe College Fund, c/o 286 Doyle Ave, Providence, RI 02906.
Very sad. Joe was a great lawyer and an even better person.
Just met him once,at a non-political event-he seemed like a nice individual.
A shame,but given the nature of what he had,probably unavoidable-I just lost a friend to a pretty rare autoimmune condition that couldn’t be treated-strange thing was that it took 62 years to become evident.