Two years shy of a century old, Lakeville resident receives Boston Post Cane

LAKEVILLE — Drafted into the army at the end of 1944, Daniel Fernandes was spared participating in the invasion of Japan by the dropping of the atomic bombs in August 1945. Now at 98 he is the oldest Lakeville resident.

To mark his longevity, the Historical Commission presented the Boston Post Cane to him on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Lakeville officials and Fernandes’ family gathered for a ceremony at his residence on Saturday for the passing of the traditional award.

Fernandes first moved to Lakeville in 1962, with his wife Irene Fernandes, 90. Around the same time, he opened his picture framing business, Fernandes Frame Shop, in Middleboro. The shop remains in business at 273 W. Grove St. — and Fernandes said at least he knows where to frame the Boston Cane Certificate the commission awarded him. His son now runs the business.

He said there’s not much to tell about Lakeville, “they're all good people,” and the Boston Post Cane is “quite the honor,” he said.

“Lakeville has been wonderful to us,” added Irene Fernandes.

The cane itself is a historical artifact and part of a New England tradition which began when Edwin Grozier, publisher of the Boston Post newspaper, sent gold-headed ebony canes to over 600 towns across New England, to generate publicity and support for the paper.

At the ceremony, the Fernandes family filled their living room along with members of the Historical Commission, Town Administrator Andrew Sukeforth, and Select Board Members Maureen Candito, Lorraine Carboni and Christopher Plonka.

“It's good to keep a historic tradition alive, and to recognize a local resident that's lived here about all their life,” said Sukeforth.

Irene said her and Fernandes have seen Lakeville change over the more than six decades of living in town. They raised their family in Lakeville and Fernandes’ daughters, Judy Kirschner and Dianne Kelley, said they remember “living” at Clear Pond Park during the summertime; taking swim lessons and playing until the “streetlights came on”.

“My heart still loves Lakeville. I'm not a resident of Lakeville at the moment, but my heart is here — at home,” said Kirschner, who lives in Middleboro.

Fernandes was a longtime member of the Lakeville Lions where he also served as the club’s president. In the early days of business, his framing shop had few competitors. He said he remembers the long commutes while delivering frames across the South Coast area to artists and clients.

Irene and Fernandes' family has grown across three generations, with four children, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. The family mostly lives throughout the Freetown, Lakeville, Middleboro and Taunton areas.

The tradition of the Boston Post Cane stretches back to 1909. Historical Commission member Geri Taylor said it’s important to give tribute to the longtime, familiar faces in town.

“It's an honor to appreciate people who have lived in the community, contributed to it and raised their families here,” Taylor said.

Since the cane belongs to the town, it is passed on to the next oldest resident upon the previous holder's death. The first person in Lakeville to receive the award was in 1910.

Taylor said the last recipient of the Boston Post Cane was resident Elizabeth Bryant, who was awarded the Lakeville Boston Post Cane four years ago at the age of 99. Bryant lived until the age of 103.
Although the commission keeps the original and replica canes, Fernandes received a gold pin and certificate to commemorate the award.

When the Fernandes’ first moved to Lakeville, they knew they were in the right place.

“We just liked it. We liked everything, it was just a nice town,” Fernandes said.