Nicasio I. Fernandez Jr.

Nicasio I. Fernandez Jr., 86, of Daytona Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of August 3, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family. Born on June 3, 1939, in Cienfuegos, Cuba, to Caridad and Nicasio Fernandez, he was raised with strong family values and a deep love for faith and community.

On June 9, 1953, he earned a Diploma de Honor and the title of Bachiller en Ciencias (Bachelor of Sciences) from Colegio Champagnat in Cienfuegos. On September 24, 1957, he received the official Título de Bachiller en Ciencias from the Instituto de Segunda Enseñanza de Cienfuegos, issued by the Cuban Ministry of Education. After immigrating to the United States, he completed his studies and was awarded a Master of Arts from Adelphi University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in Garden City, New York, on August 31, 1975.

Nicasio dedicated his life to education. He taught high school science at various schools in Daytona and Port Orange and later served as a part-time Spanish professor at Bethune-Cookman College. In addition to his work in education, he founded and operated his own insurance agency, Steadfast Insurance, under the umbrella of Franklin Life Insurance, where he formed many lifelong friendships.

He and his wife, Julia, were married for 41 years until her passing. She was the center of his world, and he valued the life they built together. He also had a deep and steady love for his daughter, Cynthia, and remained a devoted and supportive presence in her life. Outside of work, Nicasio had a passion for fitness and loved going to the gym. A lifelong beach enthusiast, he considered Daytona Beach one of the most beautiful in the world. He was also known for keeping in close touch with friends and family—he loved making phone calls, especially being the first to call loved ones on their birthdays to make them feel special.

His Catholic faith was the cornerstone of his life. He helped establish the Spanish Mass at both St. Theresa’s in Spring Hill (1975–1979) and St. Paul’s Basilica in the 1980s. He later organized ACTS retreats in San Antonio, Texas, and led a memorable pilgrimage to Cuba in 2017. His spiritual leadership enriched the lives of many.

Nicasio was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ignacio; and his beloved wife, Julia. He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Culver, and her husband, John Culver; his granddaughter, Maria Isabel; his sister, Annya Koszas, and her husband, Imre Koszas; his nieces, Elizabeth Ramos and Giselle Rice, and their husbands, Victor Ramos and Jason Rice; and his great-niece, Morgan Nicole Rice. He also maintained close bonds with extended family and many treasured friends.

A man of deep faith, warmth, and humor, Nicasio loved his family above all and found joy in serving God and staying connected with those he loved. Though he will be dearly missed, his spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A Celebration of life service for Nicasio will be held Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at Basilica of St. Paul Catholic Church, 317 Mullally St, Daytona Beach, FL 32114.

Nicasio will be laid to rest in Volusia Memorial Park, Ormond Beach, Florida. following the services at St. Paul's

“En la playa, la vida es más sabrosa.”

(At the beach, life is more delicious.)