Lionel Fernando (cricketer)|Lionel Fernando

It feels utterly impossible to write this, to put into words the enormity of losing Lionel. Dad, or simply “Leo” as most of us knew him, slipped away on April 3rd, 2026, at the age of 90. He wasn’t a man of grand gestures, not in the way some people are, but his life was a quiet, steady current of kindness, dedication, and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. I remember as a little girl, utterly bewildered by a cricket match at Walsden, he patiently explained every delivery, every run, treating me like I actually cared about spin bowling – which, of course, I didn’t, but he made me feel like I did. That was Dad; he had this incredible ability to make everyone feel seen and valued. He carried himself with a quiet dignity, a legacy of his time as a civil servant and diplomat, but underneath it all was a boy who absolutely adored cricket, a boy who’d spend hours perfecting his swing, even if it mostly resulted in a wobbly throw to the flowerbeds! Growing up, Dad was the anchor of our family. Mum, of course, was the heart, but Dad was the solid ground beneath us. He instilled in us a deep respect for hard work, for honesty, and for always, always doing the right thing. He was a devoted husband to Mum, and a truly wonderful father to me and my brother. We spent countless evenings around the dinner table, listening to his stories – tales of Sri Lanka, of diplomatic dinners, and, inevitably, of the thrilling (and occasionally disastrous) adventures he had playing cricket. He was fiercely proud of his heritage, always eager to share the richness of his culture, and he instilled in us a love for both Sri Lanka and Australia. Beyond the family, Dad touched so many lives. He was a respected figure in the local community, always willing to lend a hand or offer a word of advice. He took immense pride in his time as a cricket player, particularly his years with Walsden, and he genuinely loved sharing his passion for the game with anyone who would listen. He wasn’t chasing glory; he simply enjoyed the camaraderie, the challenge, and the sheer joy of being out in the sunshine. He leaves behind a legacy of quiet strength, unwavering integrity, and a whole lot of fond memories. We’ll miss you terribly, Dad.