May 15, 1949 – June 23, 2023
John Dionisio Fernandez, Jr., born to Dolores “Grandma Cookie” Catudio and Johnny “Pineapple” Fernandez, Sr., on May 15, 1949, in San Francisco, died of natural causes on June 23, 2023.
Firstborn of six children and raised in Alameda, John has joined his mother, father, brother Rick, sister Jackie, and nephew Ryan. He is survived by his caring sisters JoJo Garchar, Dee Dee Fernandez, and Roberta Fernandez; grandsons Paco and Dominic Guerrero; and numerous nieces and nephews: Amy, Rick, Ben, Scott, Jim, Randy, Katie, Chelsea, Cruz, and, last but not shortest, Keoni. Once married to Christine Ganser, John left behind three children: Adam Fernandez, Lisa (Tony) Guerrero, and Andi Fernandez.
A proud BART electrician who retired after 25 years and Encinal High School’s star quarterback from the class of ’67, John was a most intuitively skilled, prolific trout fisherman and lover of the outdoors, especially the islands of Hawaii. John enjoyed riding horses and skiing, and possessed an exceptionally sharp memory, easily recalling details from events years ago. He also had unmatched organizational skills, as demonstrated by the variety of perfectly sized containers found throughout his home and in his garage, where his infamous mayonnaise jars full of nails and screws remain. He was an adept mechanic who could fix anything, a quality he passed along to his son, Adam. John will be returning to the rivers where he loved to fish. In our hearts, his smile, sense of humor, and tenacity will live on.
Celebration of life to be announced at a later date.
