Honorable John Steven Hernandez

SOUTH KINGSTOWN - HERNANDEZ, Hon. John S. "Steve", 61, of Birchwood Drive, died Saturday at South County Hospital after being stricken at home. He was the beloved husband of Joan M. (McCormick) Hernandez. They had been married for 38 years. He was born in Providence, a son of late William and Bernice (Williams) Hernandez. Besides his wife, he leaves his children John S. Hernandez, Jr. of South Kingstown and Diane M. Chubb, and her husband Brandon, of Pelham, NH; a brother William F. Hernandez of South Kingstown; a sister Valerie Williams of North Providence, and his dear twin grandchildren, Jason and Rachel Chubb. Mr. Hernandez was the principal of Msgr. Clarke School in Wakefield and was the former principal of Oliver Hazard Perry School in Providence and St. Joseph School in West Warwick. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, and earned several medals and commendations, including the Purple Heart. Upon his discharge from active duty, he joined the Army Reserve. He served for 26 years, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was an active member and past commander of the V.F.W., Post 152 in North Kingstown. He was the current State Junior Vice Commander. He was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1982, and served five terms before he retired in 1992. He was a communicant of St. Bernard Church, and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10am in St. Bernard Church, 410 Tower Hill Rd., North Kingstown. Burial with military honors will be in RI Veterans Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday 2-4 & 7-9pm in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Rd., Warwick. In lieu of flowers donations to The Steve Hernandez Scholarship Fund, c/o Monsignor Matthew F. Clark School, 5074 Tower Hill Rd., Wakefield, RI 02879 in his memory will be appreciated.