Fernando Antonio De Assis

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Fernando Antonio Constantino de Assis, 55, who passed away on April 28, 2024, in his home in Salt Lake City, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 3, 1969, in Recife, Brazil to Enauro and Aurinete de Assis. Fernando was a journalist and video producer, with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Manaus, Amazon. He started his career as a video-producer in television production, and later worked for 10 years as Director of Public Affairs for the Church in Brazil, alongside his mission President, spending a good deal of time in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. He created and developed the "Helping Hands" program in its current form, thanks to his extensive previous experience with community service. On assignment from the First Presidency of the Church, he wrote the program manual, which was implemented worldwide and is still in effect today. He has used his humanitarian experience, along with his expertise with the media and other institutional relations, to voluntarily help several fathers and mothers who had their children criminally taken to other countries by the other parent of the child. In the most recent years, Fernando had started a non-governmental organization (nonprofit) in Utah to help parents and children who are victims of this same crime, legally known as "international parental abduction.” Fernando endured a years-long battle against multiple cancers and other bodily ailments, continually defying the odds and devoting his life to the uplifting of others. Fernando is a beloved member of the Brazilian community of Utah, having befriended and worked with so many. In the waning weeks of his life, his bedside saw a near-continuous stream of visitors who came to uplift him, as he had uplifted them. He stood as an exemplar and will be sincerely missed. He is survived by his parents, Enauro and Aurinete, his sisters Flavia and Enauri, and his four adult children: Fernanda, Desiree, Lucas, and Mateus, along with their mother, Simone Grossi Harrison. His funeral will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 11AM, MST, with a viewing held beforehand from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, at the Millcreek 5th Ward, 4558 S 600 E, Murray, Utah. Burial will take place at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E 4580 S, Millcreek, Utah.

Fernando Antonio De Assis

April 3, 1969 - April 28, 2024