Dr. Fernando Perez

Dr. Fernando Perez (Ruiz), DVM, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, at the age of 100. Fernando was born in Casiguas, Cuba on August 22, 1925, the son of the late Fernando Perez (Montes) and Guadalupe Ruiz (Ruiz).

Fernando was preceded in death by Clara Argelia, his wife of over 56 years; his sister, Ernestina; and his two brothers, Ramon and Miguelo. He is survived by his son, Fernando Perez III (Debbie), his grandson, Dr. Fernando Perez IV (Caroline), and his great granddaughter, Arianna Valentina Perez.

Fernando’s father died when Fernando was 16. At that age Fernando left school to run the family’s dairy farm. He ran the farm until he went to the University of Havana where he played collegiate baseball. In 1950 he graduated from the University of Havana School of Veterinary Medicine. After leaving Cuba in May of 1961, he moved to Tampa where he worked with Dr. Avery at Tama Veterinary Hospital until he left to work for the Florida Department of Agriculture. At the Department of Agriculture, he was the West Central Florida Supervisor of the Meat Inspection Division until his retirement in 1994.

Fernando was a noble man who valued honesty and integrity. Although he was not known for smiling, his charm and charisma would endear him to everyone who met him.

Working hand in hand with the late Congressman Sam Gibbons, Fernando was instrumental in getting legislation passed that for the first time allowed Cuban veterinarians to sit for the Florida veterinary licensing exam. Always proud of his Cuban heritage, Fernando was one of the founders of Tampa’s Cuban Civic Club. He was also an active member of the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago.

Fernando was an avid reader who always had a thirst for knowledge. He and his late wife loved to travel, and at least once a year Fernando would lead large groups of his friends on adventures around the globe. Those who know him will tell you that on these trips he enjoyed being able to tell 50 or more of his friends what to do every day as much as he enjoyed the trips. He also loved to exercise and went to the gym every day until the age of 93 when COVID forced him to stop going.

A devout Catholic, Fernando cherished the teachings of Jesus Christ, and he made several pilgrimages to the Holy Land and other religious sites around the world. He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and an active member of the Knights of Columbus where he engaged in many charitable works.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL 33614. There will be a Funeral Mass at St.Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N. Himes Ave., Tampa, FL 33614, at 11:30 AM on June 5, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in his honor.