Cuba to Elisa Fernandez (Dannon Behar) and Roberto Fernandez. He was only 9 months old
when the family had to leave Cuba for Venezuela. After 5 years, the family moved to the United
States. Yakir loved this country, serving in the Air Forces as a Postal Specialist for 4 years while
stationed in Germany. He received the following honors while serving: Air Force Training
Ribbon, National Defense Serving Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force
Organizational Excellence Award with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.
Yakir earned a Bachelors in Criminal Justice and a Masters Degree in Emergency Management.
He served as the Assistant Vice Provost for Fire, Safety & Emergency Management at Miami
Dade College. For the last 3 years he served as the Deputy Director of Campus Safety of the
Providence Public Schools Operations Team.
He is survived by his older children (Gjerrhald and twins: Alyssium and Amricyan). Yakir is
survived by his wife Stephanie, the mother of his youngest son Elijah and 2 stepchildren
(Keshonn and KeShonna.). Yakir had the privilege of meeting his first grandson, Micah Yakir,
who was born a few days before his passing. His sister (Jannet), brother-in-law (Henry) and his
nephews (Yossi, Ari, and Dasi) will greatly miss him. His parents Elisa and Roberto will never
be the same without him.
He loved Superheroes, navel oranges, a good flashlight, clean computer screens and loved to eat
Nutella sitting on the couch with Amricyan.Yakir was quiet, discrete, observant, a fierce
defender of the US Constitution, responsible, trustworthy, dependable and a fast learner.
Co-workers describe him as a gentleman, a force of progress and technology, noble, and an
example of dedication to the safety of students and faculty. Yakir was a private person who
fought for life bravely and stoically till the very last breath. May his memory be a blessing to all
who knew him.
