ROYAL KNIGHT 2008

Mr. Anthony A. Fernandez, Jr. is a lifelong resident and practicing attorney in St. Bernard Parish. Born at Shell Beach he is a graduate of St. Bernard High School, University of New Orleans and LSU School of Law. He has served as Chief Criminal Deputy Sheriff of the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office for 20 years and now is retired working part time.  He stayed with the SBSO during Katrina and assisted in rescue operations and helped evacuate many parish residents after the storm.

He also is the Pastoral Council chairman of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church. In that capacity he worked with many volunteers and clergy to clean up the church and rectory to re-establish mass and religious services after the storm. He also assisted in the opening of the OLPS school facility and St. Bernard Cemetery.  He serves on the Archdiocese school board and is a recipient of the Order of St. Louis.

He is the president of the St. Bernard Historical Society and organizer of the annual Battle of Lake Borgne celebration which he reinstated December 2006.

He is the coordinator of the Santa on the Bayou Christmas Celebration. This event prior to Katrina consisted of a boat parade in Yscloskey,  Shell Beach and Hopedale together with a Christmas Party for children at Breton Sound Marina in Hopedale. In 2006, this Christmas celebration was held at Nunez Community College with the help of hundreds of volunteers (including the Knights of Nemesis) and sponsorship of the Meraux Foundation and assistance by many other parish businesses. This event hosted over 4,000 children and nearly 10,000 parish residents.

He is also the attorney for the St. Bernard Home Mortgage Authority and is working with the authority members to offer a $30 million dollar low interest home program for St. Bernard and Plaquemine residents.  He was parish treasurer for St. Bernard Parish when the parish government complex was built.

He is married to Roselyn Caluda Fernandez and they have four children: Dr. Greg Fernandez, Mark Fernandez, J.D., Randall Fernandez, Lisa Fernandez.  They also have two grandchildren and will be residing with his parents in Kenilworth.

Royal Knight I - Walter Boasso

Royal Knight II - Charlie Ponstein