Mr. Henry John Fernandez's Obituary
FERNANDEZ, Henry John, 84 of Tampa passed away Aug. 9, 2009.
Henry John Fernandez was born in Tampa on August 2, 1925 to Enrique Paine and Maria Luisa Fernandez. He attended Jefferson High School where he met his future wife, Olga Martinez.
Enlisting at age seventeen, Henry served in the United States Navy as a radioman gunner stationed on Pitilou Island in the Philippines. After his service and his graduation from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Henry and Olga came home to Tampa with their first daughter, Diana. He began his practice of Optometry in Ybor City and a lifelong commitment to Tampa. An abiding love for the residents of Ybor and their place in his heritage, he went on to serve as President of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce - and was proudly named it's Alcalde.
Later, he and Cesar Gonzmart led the movement that became the Barrio Latino Commission whose goal was to restore Ybor City to the traditions of its heritage and revitalize its commercial and cultural role in Tampa's future.
In the meantime, his second daughter, Debra was born and the family moved to Davis Island.
Always civic minded, he was instrumental in creating Tampa's Sister Cities program and traveled tirelessly promoting his beloved home town. Henry was also involved in the conception and implementation of Haciendas de Ybor. Along with his partners, he helped to create affordable housing for Ybor City's elderly. Henry put his creative talents and tireless energies together to conceive a social krewe that would represent the Latin cultures that are so integral a part of Tampa's tapestry. Together with his collaborators, Cesar Gonzmart, Joe Lopez, Joe Granda, and Danny Martinez, he saw his idea come to life.
The Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago was modeled after an ancient group rooted in Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The Krewe has since, under Henry's guidance, created the Education Foundation that provides scholarships to Latino children. Henry is survived by his daughters, Diana and Debra, his son in law, Duane Fields, his grandson, Jason, and his wife, Mignon, and three great grandsons, Jackson, Sebastian and Gryphon. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at 5PM on Friday, Aug. 14, 2009 at Boza & Roel Funeral Home, 4730 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL 33603. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Krewe of Sant' Yago Education Foundation in care of Dr. Rex Damron at PO Box 5037, Tampa, Fl 33675. Boza & Roel Funeral Home
4730 N. Armenia Ave.
Tampa, FL 33603
What’s your fondest memory of Henry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Henry?
Share a story where Henry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Henry you’ll never forget.
How did Henry make you smile?