Ralph J. Fernandez

Ralph J. Fernandez, 87, of North Street, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.

He was born October 27, 1928 in Port Huron, to the late Gregorio and Lena Fernandez. He married Marian Scott on September 17, 1955 in St. Joseph Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on October 30, 2006.

Mr. Fernandez graduated from Port Huron High School in 1946 and attended Port Huron Business School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Ralph worked for the Grand Trunk Railroad and the U.S. Customs, retiring after 30 years of service.

He loved sports and won Golden Gloves in the 1940’s. He played baseball/softball well into his seventies and was inducted into the Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame with the Port Huron Braves of the Latin American Baseball League. He was an avid University of Michigan and Detroit Tigers fan.

Mr. Fernandez was a bowler, enjoyed golfing at the Willow Ridge Golf Course and going to sporting events with his sons.

He is survived by his children, Randy Fernandez of Marysville, Paula (Dan) McVety of Burtchville, Marty (Cheryl) Fernandez of San Diego, CA, Jeff (Karen) Fernandez of Coppell, TX, Ralph (Laurie) Fernandez Jr. of Pewaukee, WI and Laura Ann (Gary) Nesbitt of North Street; eleven grandchildren, Mitchell Fernandez (fiancee’ Alanna Trosky) and Matthew Fernandez (and their mother, Shelly Fernandez), Nelson and Bailey McVety, Marti Nicole (Neal) Goyal, Danielle Fernandez, Claire, Joe, Eva Fernandez and Garrett and Grant Nesbitt; three great grandsons, Ethan, Gavin and Mason Goyal; his sister, Jo (Bob) Clark; his sister-in-law, Janet (Dr. Gurdon “Champ”) Patton; several nieces and nephews; special good friends, Karol and Helen Petho, Tom Slaght and Ernie Wisson; and special caregivers, Sarah Beebe and Chris Morris. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marian, brothers-in-law, George White and David Scott, two aunts, Katie Villa and Anna Paulus; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Harlan and Eva Scott.

The family will receive friends from 2 - 8 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 2016 in the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.

Mr. Fernandez will lie in state in St. Mary Catholic Church on Monday, September 26, 2016 from 9 a.m. until the time of Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. The Reverend Zbigniew Zomerfeld will officiate.

The Rite of Committal will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Honor Guard.

The family prefers memorials be made to Visiting Nurse Association Day Program or Port Huron High School Athletics.