Victor Fernandez

Victor Manuel Fernandez of Pearl River, former resident of Kissimmee, Florida died on January 12, 2023 at Kings Harbor Multicare Center in New York.  He was 93 years old.

Mr. Fernandez was a Jewelry Manufacturing foreman for 40 years at Columbia Jewelry in the NYC diamond district and raised 3 children.

Mr. Fernandez served from 1946-1950 with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific.

On February 23, 1952 he married Nilsa Vazquez-Ruiz at Iglesia Unida in Bronx, NY.

Victor Manuel lived at Kings Harbor for the past year.  Before that he lived in Kissimmee, Florida from 1996 to 2021 and in the Bronx, New York from 1953 to 1996.

In Florida, he meticulously tended to his fruit and vegetable garden always trying to cultivate the finest, sweetest mangoes possible.  An amateur botanist he tended to his garden daily, keeping detailed notes of his hybrids and cross pollinating his seeds taken from plants from his native Puerto Rico.  He named all his trees after his grandchildren with the exception of his finest mango tree named after his predeceased daughter Lillian.

Victor Manuel was raised in the southern city of Ponce, Puerto Rico and was the son of an itinerant preacher.  He shared stories of growing up during the Great Depression in Puerto Rico and was extremely proud of his family and their accomplishments which he shared with anyone who would hear him.  His unquestionable work ethic allowed for the family to never go without.  At Columbia jewelry he was proud of the artisanal pieces he personally created for his wife and children.  When recessions struck he would pick up the slack as a yellow cab driver in NYC.  To my father, the Fernandez name was synonymous with accomplishment and pride.

Victor Manuel will always be remembered for his love of his children and grandchildren.  He raised us with high expectations and to love education.  He will be missed for his boisterous laugh, passion for fishing, his domino games, his many kitchen table discussions on topics spanning from politics to science and his total everlasting commitment to the Fernandez Family.

He is preceded in death by his wife Nilsa,  his daughter Lillian, daughter in law Donna and his 10 brother and sisters.

He is survived by his two sons Victor M. Fernandez, John David Fernandez and his wife Lisa.  His five grandchildren he loved so dearly Nina, Lisa, Rosa Linda, John David Jr. and Michael Victor.

Calling hours are from 2-4pm and 7-9pm Sunday January 15, 2023 at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home 100 Franklin Ave, Pearl River, NY 10965

The Funeral is at 10 am Monday January 16, 2023 at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home 100 Franklin Ave, Pearl River, NY 10965

Interment will follow at Brick Church Cemetery 221 Brick Church Road Spring Valley, NY 10977

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