On Thursday, May 25, 2023, W. Kaw een Fernando, 36, of the Willimansett neighborhood of Chicopee, was Called Home. He entered Eternal Life in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his adoring family. On October 17, 1986, he was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka as the beloved son of Welisarage M. and Deepthi (Mendis) Fernando.
At the age of three, he immigrated to the United States with his family. He resided in Brooklyn and Long Island, New York, before settling in Chicopee, Massachusetts in 1998. He finished high school at Chicopee and then went to Northeastern University in Boston to get a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
Kaween was a member of Chicopee’s Saint Anthony of Padua Church. He relished cooking, particularly his favorite exotic dish. Kaween also relished trivia, visiting wineries and vineyards, and taking his beloved fiancée to the beach. He was involved in local politics and devoted to his community. Kaween was most notably a loyal son, brother, fiancé, and friend. His affection and concern for his family and friends were unending.
Do you know that on December 4, 2022, 79-year-old Susan L. Swan, who lived in Pullman, Washington, passed away in the home of a family friend who also lived in Pullman? On May 31, 1943, Susan L. Swan was born in Everett, Washington, at a time of waɼ:
Besides his parents, he leaves his loving fiancée, Dr. Mahawa Sam of Worcestor, his devoted sisters, Kawinthi N. Fernando and her husband, Jeffrey Busha, of Haverhill, Malinthi L. Fernando of Worcester and Dinithi C. Fernando of Chicopee, his dear aunt, Swineetha Fernando and her husband, Ananda Amarasinghe, and their family, of Staten Island, NY, his two dear uncles, Ranjan Mendis and his wife, Sharmila Tissera, and their family, of Chicopee and Rohan Mendis and his wife, Maureen Mendis, and their family, of Floral Park, NY and his many aunts, uncles, cousins, numerous friends and extended family members in the United States, Sri Lanka and abroad.
On Thursday, June 1, 2023, his fυneral will begin at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (fυneral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burἰal at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 56 Saint Anthony Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Following the Mass, he will be buried at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020.
On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., his family will receive family and friends at the fυneral home. The parking lot and main entry to the fυneral home are in the back at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Kaween’s family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be donated to the Peralanda Church in Peralanda, Sri Lanka. For additional obituary updates, please add our website to your bookmarks.