Juan Jose Fernandez Gutierrez

Juan Jose Fernandez Gutierrez was born in Luanco, a small picturesque coastal town in the province of Asturias, Spain, on March 18, 1935. At age 86, when he passed on March 16, 2022, he was surrounded by his loving wife, children, and daughter-in-law. He is survived by his wife, Felicita “Taty” Fernandez, his daughters, Maria Fernandez and Arlene Fernandez, his son Juan Fernandez (wife Courtney), his grandchildren - - Lauren McCann (husband Thomas), Roman Reyes, Mateo Williams, Tiago Williams, Pilar Morgan, Eliana Fernandez, Elija Fernandez and Elisyn Fernandez and his great-grandchildren, Luna McCann and Rio McCann.

In Spain, Juan is survived by his cousins Maria Concepcion Fernandez, Conchita Fernandez, and Emilio Jose Fernandez, sister-in-law Maria del Carmen Cobas Gutierrez, and his nieces and nephews, who loved him dearly - - Julio Cesar Fernandez, Juan Luis Fernandez Cobas, Javier Fernandez Cobas, Fernando Fernandez Cobas, Jose Fernandez Cobas, Mino Fernandez Cobas, Martin Fernandez Cobas, Maria Gutierrez Fernandez, Maria Teresa Gutierrez Fernandez, and Armando Gutierrez Fernandez. In New Jersey, he is survived by his cousins, Hilda Stover and Rick Guitterez.

He reunites in heaven with his parents, Juan Fernandez and Maria Gutierrez, his siblings, Maria Flor, Maria Hilda, Minervino. He deeply loved his mother, who raised him as a single mother after his father died in the Spanish Civil War. He would often say he only completed third grade, but Juan did much better when he repeated that grade as he kept his notebooks from the year before. He soon after left school and started working at a very young age in construction to help support the family. Despite this, he was one of the family's wisest and most knowledgeable men. Juan cherished watching world news and discussing politics. He served as a merchant marine for many years with Spain. Given how hard he labored, he sacrificed and strived for his children to be educated so they had the opportunities he did not. Going to college was not optional. His life story can be viewed as the American Dream and follows the trajectory of many immigrants to the United States.

Despite being in the United States for over fifty years, he loved and longed for his hometown of Luanco, a fishing and boat-building village in northern Spain. One of his cousins has various boats in the Maritime Museum of Asturias, which describes Luanco’s historical livelihood. It is now a tourist location given its beauty, charm, an extraordinary church by the beach, and the Playa (beach) de Luanco. La Playa de Luanco was known to be a sleeping location for Juan and his closest friend, Jose Manuel Fernandez Costales, after a night of drinking sidra. Asturias, the province, is very well known for its sidra (cider), which must be skillfully poured from above the head and elaborately cascaded into the cup below.

In the United States, he had an uncle, Manuel Gutierrez, and his wife, Maria Eugenia Gutierrez, who resided in New Jersey and a dear childhood friend (Luis) who lived in New York City. He disembarked in Baltimore, MD, during one of his merchant marine stops and never looked back. Through his hometown friend, who was married to a Puerto Rican woman (Maria), he met his wife Taty (another Puerto Rican) living in New York City. His children would often joke that Maria called all her single Puerto Rican girlfriends to meet the new Spaniard in town and their mother won. Juan and Taty shared 57 years of marriage. To the very end, they would hold hands when walking together and sometimes even when they sat side by side. Juan and Taty raised love birds, which symbolizes how they felt for one another to their children. Their precious love is a beautiful example of true love, kindness, and dedication.

Juan worked as a mechanic for many years to support his family and send his beloved children to Catholic school. He tirelessly worked double shifts and often took on freelance work to provide all he could for his family. Juan retired and became the family home keeper, chef, and sitter for his granddaughter Lauren. Once retired he turned his focus to crafting delicious meals for his family. His pollo guisado, tortilla espanola, arepitas, and other dishes were the family favorites. The children would however take a pass on the garlic bread soup. His great-granddaughter, Luna, would declare him as the greatest chef. His granddaughter, Pilar, plans to create a book of his best dishes to pass on the recipes.

Juan and Taty left the Bronx to move to Moca, Puerto Rico, and then Palm Bay, Florida. Finally, they relocated to Houston, Texas, in December of 2019, right before the COVID pandemic confined us all.

Juan took diligent and loving care of his family and friends. He always loved animals and shared fond memories of his grandparents’ farm. He had hoped one of his children would become a veterinarian, but all his children pursued careers that better matched their skillsets. So he settled for chicken and bunny coops in his backyard. Juan cherished life - his glass was always half full. Yet, he excelled at all he put his mind to accomplish. There wasn’t a puzzle he couldn’t solve or an item he could not build from scratch.

Juan was an amazing and animated storyteller, as well as a generous host. His joyous spirit lives on forever in all of us. He achieved his dreams and goals throughout his life and leaves behind a remarkable legacy. He had recently purchased his first pair of cowboy boots a few weeks ago.

On Sunday, March 20, 2022, the family will host his viewing and service at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, located in Bellaire, Texas. A future funeral service will be held in Luanco, Asturias, where some of his ashes will be scattered on la Playa de Luanco and his mother’s grave, date to be determined.

A visitation for Juan will be held Sunday, March 20, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 4525 Bissonnet, Bellaire, TX 77401, followed by a funeral service from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanbellaire.com for the FERNANDEZ GUTIERREZ family.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory at the Houston Food Bank - https://secure.houstonfoodbank.org/site/Donation2?&df_id=8530&mfc_pref=T&8530.donation=form1&s_src=homepage

Juan loved cooking and feeding people so the Houston Food Bank would be a perfect place to donate in his memory.