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In memory of

Philip John Fernando

Torrance, CA, USA

1934 - January 14, 2021

1934 - Jan 14, 2021

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Philip Fernando was granted his angel wings on January 14, 2021. Born on May
1
st 1934 in Sri Lanka to Anna Fernando and Cyril Mathias Fernando, his final days were
spent surrounded by his family. He passed away peacefully at home.
In his youth, Philip was studious, athletic and made friends easily with his lively chatter.
He attended St. Sebastian College. In 1959, Philip graduated from University of
Peradeniya with a Bachelor’s in Economics. In 1964, he married his beautiful and
loving wife, Celine. As a journalist and later as deputy editor at the Daily News and
Sunday Observer Newspaper, he covered politics and world events. In 1976, he was
given a once in a lifetime opportunity, sponsored by National Geographic to travel to
America to cover the US bicentennial celebration. He landed in New York and
caravanned from the East Coast to the West Coast finishing in San Francisco with two
other journalists. His love for the USA started on that trip.
A year after, in 1977, Philip and his family immigrated to US and settled in Torrance,
California. He put his writing ability to good use in his second career. He worked as a
city planner for various California cities and retired at 65 from the Southern California Air
Quality Management District (AQMD). After retirement, he continued to write articles for
papers in Sri Lanka. He wrote two books on elections and enjoyed keeping a keen eye
on what was happening on the political scene in both Sri Lanka and the US.
Philip was a devout Catholic and had a positive and cheerful outlook in life. He had an
excellent sense of humor, was a great conversationalist and a good card player. He
valued family and friends and was generous to a fault. He supported and educated his
five children to higher education. As most immigrants, he carried the sacrifice of being
separated from his beloved relations in his mother country. He will always remember
for his quick wit, heartfelt laugh and genuine concern for family and friends. He will
always be in our hearts and be missed every day.
Philip was preceded in death by his Father Cyril, Mother Anna and youngest brother,
Thilak. He is survived by his loving wife, Celine Fernando, 2 sons Ranil (Noely) and
Mahen (Thilini) and 3 daughters, Anne Samarawickrama (Prasanna), Melisa
Gunawardena (Sanjay), and Marlie Abrahams (Andrew) and 8 grandchildren (Tyler,
Kyle, Isabella, Matthew, Samantha, Dylan, Sasha and Emily). They all reside in the
USA. He is survived by his brother Cassian (Cynthia), sister Sumana (Leslie) and sister

in-law Sharma (Thilak-deceased) and sister-in-law Venetia Arseculeratne (Festus-
diseased) and many loving nephews and nieces.

A private Catholic service and a celebration of his life will be held at St. James Church
in Torrance. Any emails can be sent to johnphilip@gmail.com

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