Benny Fernandez sets a Record Of Service

Benny Fernandez sets a Record Of Service

There are a number of Members of Staff who made have La Martiniere their home. Life-long association and devotion is commonplace and spans generations. Many have completed significant milestones – twenty years, a silver jubilee, thirty and some even forty years or more. But perhaps the longest record has been achieved by four men who have spent more than 50 years in actual tenancy in the College. They are Mr J. A. W. Spence, Mr Thomas George DeGruyther, Mr Frank J. deSouza and Mr Benedict Fernandez

Mr Benedict Ferandez, more commonly referred to as ‘Benny’, has the unique distinction of putting in 50 years of uninterrupted service in different capacities. His fellow jubilarians have their student years in the College added to the record. He alone has achieved a golden jubilee in service only.

Mr Fernandez joined La Martiniere College in the quasquicentenary in 1970. He celebrated his Silver Jubilee in the College, even as the College celebrated its sesquicentenary in 1995. Now in dodransbicentennial year, he continues to be an integral part of the College. He knows no other home, having spent almost his entire working life at La Martiniere. It was here that he was married to Teresa, who has herself entered retirement. His children were born and grew up on the campus; they were schooled here, as are his grand-children who are now pupils of the College. He has literally, lived in the shadow of Constantia, significantly in the oldest building on the campus, the Mahal Serai, which predates Constantia by about a decade.

When he retired from academic service, the Principal, Mr Elton deSouza paid tribute to him on Prize Day in these words:

“Mr Benedict Fernandez, after nearly thirty-two years of service to the College, having reached the age of superannuation, has retired. Such length of service, characterized by a sense of duty, commitment and generosity of spirit shall not be permitted to go unnoticed or unappreciated. There are some that shy away from the limelight, but they contribute quietly and effectively. We seldom appreciate the work they do until they are no longer there to perform it. Nothing has ever been too small or humble for Mr Fernandez to perform. One might fret and fume at his fastidious neatness and methodical way of noting down things, but whenever details are needed about forgotten matters he has always been able to provide them. He has guarded College property better than his own. His loyalty and dedication have never been called in question. He has been House Master of Hodson House since 1984, and Head of the Middle School since 1993. The boys of his House will certainly miss him, if for no other reason than his generosity in granting exeats not only to them but those of other Houses as well, much to the delight of the boys themselves and the annoyance of those, whose authority they circumvented. We are happy that he will be continuing to stay on the campus, as his wife still works here. He has elected to continue to provide his services to the College in case of need. Ladies and gentlemen I shall request you to kindly acknowledge the worth of this shy, gentle, genial and benevolent human being by giving him a warm round of applause.”

When Mr Fernandez retired from academic work in 2002, he offered his services to the College to fulfil a number of roles. This was at the turn of the century when the expansion of the pupil strength College brought new challenges to the fore. He took control of College Security, the first time that an independent officer was required for such a role. When that post was established as an independent one, he was appointed to the post of College Caretaker and continued to serve as the Honorary Games’ Secretary till 2012. He concurrently served as the College Housekeeper till 2013. The College has found his services, and more importantly, his presence in the College, indispensable. He continues to oversee work in the College kitchens with efficiency in his dealings with the Staff and kindness towards the boys, generations of which have loved and respected him. Nothing has been too humble for him, because it is for La Martiniere.

I add my personal tribute to a person who guided me and my classmates as our Class Teacher in Class 8 in 1974. We were all deeply affected by his sense of care, justice, values and cheer. For adolescent boys, we had someone to look up to, who earned not only our respect, but chiefly our affection. On behalf of the Batch of 1979, this is a special honour.
How fortunate it is to be able to serve in the same institution with teachers who guided my progress!
La Martiniere College, Lucknow congratulates Mr Fernandez on reaching this milestone. The College community and the alumni look forward to a suitable safe occasion when we can share our appreciation for the contribution made by him to half a century in the history of the College.
Congratulations Sir!