Macario Baeza Hernandez

Mack Hernandez-where do we begin to describe him! He was larger than life, a one of a kind person. He was a faithful servant of Jehovah for 49 years. For almost 60 years he was married to his wife Flora Hernandez. They had 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Macario "Mack" Baeza Hernandez was born on January 2, 1925 on a southwestern cattle ranch in Terlingua Texas, in an adobe house made by his parents. He was 1 out of 11 brothers and sisters. Life was not dull for Mack! Growing up on the ranch in Texas had a big impact on his life; to hear him describe his life was like that out of a western cowboy movie! Life there made him strong and manly! An “El Terrifico!” He bathed in the clear water of the Rio Grande River and said he plowed the fields at the age of 5! He knew horses, cattle and knew how to live off the land.

In 1943, during World War II at the age of 18 Mack was drafted into the United States Navy and was sent to Pearl Harbor, Oahu. In 1952 due to an injury he had gotten in the Navy, he had to have surgery and was honorably discharged in San Francisco. It was there that he met the love of his life, his wife Flora Corona. He came with one of his friend's to a party in San Fransico, where he first saw Flora. He had seen her from a far and right away noticed her beautiful eyes. Not even meeting her yet, he said to himself, “I’m going to marry that girl”. They met and danced the night away! Then after that day, Mack came every morning at 6:00am to see Flora, where she was visiting at her Sister's house. He came so early because he wanted to be the first one there to see her and to make sure, no other suitors would be there to visit her! After their first date, it was only 28 days later they were married on October 19, 1952! He really swept Flora off her feet!

They settled in beautiful San Francisco and then a year later in October 1953 their firstborn, Corinne was born. Two years later their son Mack Emilio was born in 1955 and in 1960 their son David was born. While living in San Fransico, Flora was the first to be contacted by Jehovah’s Witnesses going door to door. The knowledge of Jehovah really touch her heart and on October 2, 1958 she was baptized. Mack was a little tougher nut to crack! His Bible Teacher Brother Watkins, spent 5 years studying the book, “Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained". Mack had his terms about studying! Mack agreed to study if Brother Watkins would watch boxing first with him before they studied! How patient Brother Watkins was! But once Mack saw that what he was learning was the truth, it overflowed in his heart and there was no stopping him! Not even to finish the book! In September of 1963 Mack dedicated his life and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. With Mack and Flora’s love for Jehovah and by their good example, it touched the hearts of their children and moved them to dedicate their lives to Jehovah.

Mack's love for Jehovah, people and accurate knowledge of the Bible overflowed out of his heart. Being very zealous for the field ministry, Mack loved spending long hours out preaching door to door in San Francisco, along with this wife Flora and their children. Both Mack and Flora had the blessing and privilege of bringing many ones into the truth, there in San Francisco as well as creating lasting friendships with faithful brothers and sisters.

In January of 1968, the whole Hernandez family moved to Oahu. It was a turning point that came in Mack’s life when he was asked to come to Hawaii to help Rego's Purity Portuguese Sausage Company out of bankruptcy. And that he did. Mack was Vice President in charge of food production and totally changed the recipe around for Portuguese sausage and Pipikala. It became a hit among the local people of Hawaii! The recipe has stayed the same right down till this day. Mack also made hot dogs so tasty, that he was also known as the "Hot Dog King"!

Mack and Flora continued to be zealous and faithful in the ministry in Hawaii. They felt very grateful to Jehovah for blessing them to be used in helping many new ones come into the truth, which brought them great joy! They first settled in the Kaimuki congregation when they came to Oahu. Jehovah blessed Mack with the ability to teach with skill and brotherly love. Mack was used in giving public talks locally and around the islands, as well as talks at the Circuit Assemblies and District Conventions and Bible Dramas, even doing Food Service for the assemblies.

He had a love for good food, especially his wife Flora's chili verde and salsa! Good music, like Big Band and Marachi music and of course enjoying the company of good friends! Loved playing a good game of checkers, but you had to be on your toes, because he had a few good moves up his sleeve!

Mack and Flora's house was always an open house. They loved entertaining people and were generous with the way they served. You always felt welcomed, at ease and at home. People left with their stomach's full and their hearts filled with happy times and good memories. Mack had a zest for life! Living life with gusto! He loved people and enjoyed talking to everyone! He loved to laugh! When you saw Mack you knew he was always ready with a good story! He had a quick wit, and a wealth of jokes and experiences to tell!

Mack and Flora had a zest and love for hospitality! They had the privilege of entertaining those of the Governing Body, Branch members, District and Circuit Overseers and brothers and sisters from around the world, as well as having some stay with them in their home.

In the early 1980’s, one of the most exciting times in their lives, is when the Branch in Hawaii, asked Mack and Flora to help start the Spanish congregations in the Hawaiian Islands. Both of them being fluent in Spanish and English and having zeal for the truth and deep heartfelt love for Jehovah, they were eager to go forth to search and preach to those searching for the truth in their native Spanish tongue.

Because Jehovah makes the truth grow, the seeds of Bible truth began to flourish in the Spanish speaking field. Mack and Flora, along with faithful brothers and sisters in the Spanish congregation worked tirelessly and joyfully for 10 years going from island to island. They worked long hours out in service preaching and teaching. With Jehovah's blessing and help, Mack and Flora had the joy and privilege of bringing many ones into the truth.

In Mack's lifetime he enjoyed seeing his children get married. Corinne married Marvin Dela Fuente; Mack Emilo married Gale Arakaki and David married Cindy Fetter. During the 1980's and 1990's he was able to experience the joy of his 9 grandchildren-Michelle, Justin, Jennifer, Melissa, Megan, Ryan, Kristiana, Luke and Micah. And in the beginning of the 2000s he had great joy in spending time with is great-grandchildren-Eli, Sophia, Adeline & would've enjoyed seeing his 4th great-grandchild to be born January 30, 2013. Mack enjoyed a happy and close relationship with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was affectionately called, “Boompa”, “Honey”, “Pops” and to many as “Grandpa”.

Mack and Flora enjoyed traveling all over the United States and internationally!

During the 1990"s Mack and Flora moved to California which led to further opportunities to help those in the High Desert in Hesperia. There Mack became coordinator of the Spanish congregation for 10 years. During those years, Jehovah continued with his blessing, because the Spanish congregation was growing so much that a second Spanish congregation was formed.

In the early 2000's Mack and Flora moved back to Oahu and enjoyed being back again with their family and good friends.

Mack endured many health dramas and survived it all! Flora endured along with him & was always by his side, taking care of him.

Because of Mack's health limitations and challenges, he found a way to continue to be able to be involved in the ministry. For several years, he enjoyed engaging in public witnessing and would go to downtown, Chinatown in Oahu, and take a stool to rest and placed hundreds, upon hundreds of magazines. One month he placed 1,994 magazines! He became a fixture in Chinatown, that the people would look forward to getting the magazines from him.

Despite a major stroke in November 2011, that made his right leg paralyzed, he loved witnessing to the healthcare workers that would come to take care of him at his home. Due to Jehovah's blessing, some began to study and even came to the meetings!

Before his death, at the hospital he placed magazines with Doctors and Nurses, despite being very sick. Even after he passed away he was still giving a witness, because people were reading the magazines that he left in the waiting room.

On September 24, 2012, he passed away at the age of 87. He died in old age and satisfied with days. Mack rests in Jehovah's loving memory. He will be greatly missed.

As Romans 10:15 says, "How comely are the feet of those, who declare good news of good things!" As some would say, "He died with boots on!"

We look forward to seeing him soon to be resurrected in Paradise!

With all our love,

Until we meet again...we will miss you Mack....