The Friend I Never Met

 REMEMBERING DR. QUINTUS FERNANDO 

(1933-2020)

By Avishka Mario Senewiratne 

On his first death anniversary...

Many knew him as ‘Fr. Quintus’ or ‘The 8th Rector of SJC’. Well, I knew this eminent, esteemed man simply as ‘Uncle Quintus’, who addressed me ‘my young friend’. Though Uncle Quintus walked on the face of earth for 86 years, he had lived a life with loads of unorthodox experiences! While being a priest for over twenty years, he was a teacher, a principal and for the last 40 years of his life he was a layman, professor, adventurer and author. Sadly, I came to know Uncle Quintus only towards the later stage of his life and I sincerely wish I had known him much longer. Nevertheless, something is better than nothing and I am eternally grateful just to have known him for this brief period.

 Before getting to know him, I was looking for his whereabouts since 2014. After he left SJC in 1979, he had scarcely maintained communication with anyone. However, one day by chance I bumped into Mr. Boniface Perera, the President of Past Teachers’ of SJC, in Borella. While we were in the midst of discussing my manuscript on the proposed book, ‘The Story of SJC’, I inquired him as to whether he had any idea of where Dr. Quintus might be living. Fortunately, he knew one past teacher who had been in touch with him. That was Mr. George Fernando, who was a one time ‘woodwork’ teacher of SJC. After contacting George Sir, I finally found the contact details of Dr. Quintus Fernando. 

 
Fr. Quintus in UK circa 1970.

Without wasting any time, I rang him one Saturday morning. After a few rings, when the receiver was picked up, I asked “Hello, is this Dr. Quintus Fernando?”. He responded in a gentle voice “Yes, speaking!”. After introducing myself to him and explaining my objective of writing on the history of SJC, he was rather surprised and thrilled. “Yes, Avishka ask me any question and I will help you in every possible way” said Dr. Quintus. After we finished this ‘impromptu interview’, I thanked him and asked if we could meet one day. He, who was leading a very low-profile life, very politely declined to give me an appointment. Understanding his reluctance, I thought I may never be in contact with him again. I was wrong!

 The next day, I received a call. It was Dr. Quintus! He wanted to have a casual conversation this time. He inquired on my higher studies and asked what prompted me to do write such a book. On hearing that I was into aviation, he took a deep interest in me and asked many questions on it. It was only then I know how much he fancied to have adventures, to explore and travel. Soon he recalled some of his memories when he was the Rector of SJC. I was stunned by how sharp his memory was. The stories he related and experiences he narrated were certainly blockbuster material! What really struck me of his life was the fact that he was a fighter and a rebel to a certain extent. The Agro’ 74 he organized, as soon as he became Rector, left a mark not only in SJC but island wide. The message on agriculture he delivered was highly appreciated by the then Prime Minister, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike. One of his students, Rohan Pandithakoralage, recalls on Agro 74’, “…almost overnight, it attracted many Josephians to take up agriculture as a subject…Dr. Quintus’ pause, nod, smile and acknowledgement were enough motivation for us to ‘bat on’ voluntarily”. 

 Though he was not comfortable in meeting people he constantly had conversations with me. One day I asked him whether he wants to read the section I’ve written on him. He was glad that I made this proposition and without any hesitation asked me to email it. The next day he phoned me again and mentioned me that he was overwhelmed by the way I had written on his Rectorship. He was pleased for the fact that his efforts and results were recorded and would eventually be preserved for posterity. He then posted me a parcel with a number of letters and articles relating to his Rectorship and this enabled me to gather much more information. In one of the conversations we had, he shared with me his great friendship with the then Prime Minister, Ranasinghe Premadasa. It was their friendship that made Mr. Premadasa assist college during that time. He mentioned with me that Mr. Premadasa would call him regularly and check on the needs of College. One day, Mr. Premadasa had inquired if there was a Dental facility in College, Dr. Quintus mentioned him that such facility did not exist. The very next day, at 7.30 am. sharp, Mr. Premadasa had arrived to the College and inspected a suitable room to make a Dental. Within one week, St. Joseph’s had its first Dental Clinic! 

 Dr. Quintus loved his staff and all the teachers I have interviewed during era have shared this ideal with me. In 1977, when the minority riots occurred in Colombo, Dr. Quintus and his bursar Fr. Stanley Fernandopulle O.M.I., had gone all around Colombo to pick all the teachers of the minority and keep them safe in College until the riots settled. For those who lost houses, Dr. Quintus would personally intervene and find new apartments for them. It was the close friendship between Dr. Quintus and Prime Minister Premadasa, which resulted in the pioneering work of the Premadasa Pavilion.

 While greening the College premises with new trees, Dr. Quintus mentioned me that one of his most memorable events was the creation of the open-air stage behind the Chapel. The stage was built by students supervised by teachers. Just as the staff, the students had a close relationship and great admiration towards Dr. Quintus. He had a very special habit of personally blessing every student on their birthday. 

 Our close relationship over the telephone became a very friendly one with time. One day after a training flight I noticed I had received several miscalls from him. I immediately replied to the miscalls and his touching response was, “Avishka, have you forgotten me? You haven’t spoken in a while!”. That was the moment I knew how close we had become. Since then, I must have spoken to him at least once in a fortnight. During this time, I had briefly paused in researching and writing my book due to commitments of my higher studies. Knowing this, he would always check on my progress and constantly inquire on how things were in Ratmalana. He had a genuine interest in my field and he shared many of his experiences in USA, which gave me much insight. After successfully completing my flight test and receiving my private license he was one of the first people I called and I still remember how happy he was for my feat, for he had been longing for it! 

 Dr. Quintus had a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. With the support of his brother late Bishop Frank Marcus Fernando, he had successfully promoted this seldom heard devotion in Sri Lanka. He had compiled a small prayer book on this devotion on his own, and distributed free to anyone who had shown an interest. I too had not shown any special interest in this until he sent me a bundle of books. I was able to share this with my family and close friends, and they have been highly appreciative of Dr. Quintus for promoting this sacred devotion. Though he had not the best of endings at SJC, and though he had some flaws like all of us, the man was always a priest to me. He knew how to touch souls, feel the pain of the poor and comfort the needy. The fact that his students still remember after forty years how good he was and recollect with joy, how special he made the Josephian life at that time, proves this.

 After retiring from his teaching post, he left to the USA and returned home after some time. During his retirement, he would constantly travel all around the country in his Mitsubishi Pajero. He loved the sea and specially spent many happy hours fishing in various places! He once told me an interesting story. Somewhere around 2001, he came to Colombo in his Pajero and wanted to see how SJC looked. He drove in to the premises after school hours and had a quick look around. He said no one recognised him and he was able to stay a few minutes near the open air stage he created!

Even after reaching the age of 80, he did not stop pursuing new interests. It was during this that time he wrote a novel based on real events in his life. The period in concern was his brief stint as the Parish Priest in Pitipana (mid-1960s). The novel, titled “Celibacy Factor” was shortlisted at the 2016 Gratian Prize. I am very grateful that he very generously gifted me an autographed book to add to my library. 

His last few months were not physically easy on him. He told me how difficult it was to sleep, and sometimes to even stand up. Nevertheless, I know he was intellectually strong till he breathed his last. Once Covid-19 locked us up in our homes, we lost our usual patterns in life and I knew that this was the ideal time to finish my book. After voicing my intentions to Dr. Quintus, he related many more interesting stories about the College. One day, I think it was May 8, he phoned me suddenly and had a long discussion with me and mentioned that he had found an album full of old photographs during his era. He said he has many more documents and asked whether it’s alright to post. This time, I asked him whether I can meet him as soon as Covid settles, and for the first time he agreed! After wishing each other I ended the call. Sadly, this was the last time I spoke to him. 

Barely a few days later on May 23, 2020 I received a message saying that he had passed away. Later I heard from his niece that he had died in his sleep. That day I was deeply saddened and felt miserable. I lost a great friend. A friend I’ve never met, yet, who knew me so well and made me feel like his close friend. I was glad that he had read at least his section in my book. But he was eagerly waiting to read the entire book. When the lockdown was lifted, I visited his sister and niece, who would relate how much Uncle Quintus had spoken of me. He had left his file, full of photographs and papers for me. Some of these were published in my book, giving it a special outlook as many have not seen them before.

 Dr. Quintus Fernando, is no Le Goc or Peter Pillai. However, he had left a mark not just in college but also in every person he associated. For his five years as Rector, he had done a service beyond his limits and expectations. His charisma in people, his enthusiasm in work, his love for Christ and people alike, must be emulated by all of us, till the mountains disappear! 

May his soul rest in peace! 

 

23-05-2021 

Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. 

avishkamario@gmail.com 

 Special thanks to Mr. Jeremy De Lima, Melbourne and Mr. Rohan Pandithakoralage

 Picture courtesy: Late Dr. Quintus Fernando and family, Mr. Yaan LaBrooy for the Rectors’ Day Card 1978. 

Paper Cuttings from the Messenger, circa 1974.

*For more details on Dr. Quintus Fernando and his era at SJC refer my book, Till The Mountains Disappear (2020), pp.102-111