He pops up here and there, directing traffic at street corners, helping kids off school buses, sweeping up hair at barbershops. Wherever he is, so too is his bicycle and signature bright orange and yellow safety jacket, complete with silver reflective stripes. Who is he? A crossing guard? City employee? No, a neighborhood volunteer. If you don’t know him, and you really should, just ask. Pretty much everybody knows him. “That’s Tata,” is the response with a knowing shrug.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
Natalio "Tata" Fernandes got help suiting up by his mother, Audilia Fernandes, before he went out for the day.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
Tata left for his day, maneuvering "The Chopper" onto the street.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
Tata on his morning ride to breakfast at Ashley's, which takes about 10 minutes.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
Tata often helps one of the local stores sell international phone cards, and community members often inquire how his business is going.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
After lunch, Tata went next door to the barber shop and swept up. Behind him was barber Candido Barros, who chatted with Tata while he worked.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
Tata showed where he helps children cross after school. The kids were out of school for the summer, but he always has his neon safety batons.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
At Ashley's, the staff helps him in many ways, including cleaning the smudges off his eyeglasses. Chico Ruidiaz brought Tata his utensils.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
Tata arrived at Ashley's for breakfast/lunch and locked up "The Chopper."
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
Tata arrived, as he does every day, at Ashley's for breakfast/lunch.
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Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
Tata waved to a passing trucker, who was heading up Bowdoin Street.
