Alfred Fernandez Sr.

Alfred ‘Freddy’ Fernandez Sr passed away at the age of 92 on March 18, 2016 in Sacramento, CA. Alfred was born in Papaaloa, HI on June 1, 1923. Alfred was surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren when he went to be with the Lord.

Alfred is survived by his wife of 72 years Josephine Fernandez, his son Alfred Fernandez Jr (Gail), his daughter Michelle Rook, his daughter Lolita Lockett (William J), his five grandchildren, Shanna Greves, J. Alfred Fernandez, Naethan Guette, Sara Bair, Nicholas Lockett and his eight great grandchildren, Kaenan Bair, Kameron Bair, Joshua Fernandez, Kylie Bair, Ketzel Greve, Moriya Fernandez, Hunter Guette and Kaleb Bair.

Alfred was one of eight children and moved out on his own at the age of 15. In 1938, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was in this same year that Alfred met his future wife Josephine Fontanilla. In 1941, Freddy began working for the United States Department of Engineering until he was drafted in 1944.

Alfred and Josephine married on June 3, 1944 and had their first child, Alfred Fernandez Jr in October of that same year. Alfred reenlisted in the United States Air Force in 1946 and was sent to Germany, leaving his wife and son home in Hawaii. In 1948, Alfred went back to Hawaii and was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base. The next year, Alfred and Josephine had their second child, Michelle Fernandez, in 1949. Shortly thereafter, Alfred went to serve our nation in Japan and was stationed at Yokota Air Base, leaving his wife and now two children back home in Hawaii. During Alfred’s deployment in Japan, he spent time on Enewetak Atoll during the nuclear testing as part of the Pacific Proving Grounds. Upon returning to Hawaii, Alfred and Josephine had their third child, Lolita Fernandez, in 1952.

In 1958 Alfred was redeployed back to Japan taking his wife Josephine and his three children with him. When the family returned after three years, they relocated to North Highlands, CA, later moving to Sacramento where they purchased a home in 1965. Alfred was then stationed at McClellan Air Force Base until he reenlisted in 1962. For the final four years of service, Alfred was stationed at Mather Air Force Base. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1966, after 22 years of service, Alfred worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Less than a year later, Alfred began working as a civilian at McClellan Air Force Base until he retired in 1983. By the time Alfred retired, he was a veteran of WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and had spent his entire adult life and part of his childhood serving our nation.

Visitation will be held on March 29 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mount Vernon Memorial Park, 8201 Greenback Lane, Orangevale, CA 95628.

Mass will be held on March 30 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at St. John The Evangelist Church, 5751 Locust Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608.

Upon completion of Mass, we will return to Mount Vernon Memorial Park for committal services followed by a reception at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charitable organization of your choice. As everyone knows, grandpa never wore anything other than an aloha shirt. An aloha shirt for the guys and aloha attire for the ladies would be appropriate.