Antonio Martinez Hernandez June 13, 1927 – February 10, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences Our beloved father, Antonio M. Hernandez, affectionately known as Tony, Daddy, Pops, Grandpa and “Papa Trouble,” passed away at home on Sunday, February 10, 2019. In the days before and up to the day he passed, he was continuously surrounded by his children and grandchildren who traveled near and far to be with him. A man of few words, he let us know he loved us by his actions.
His big smile when he greeted us was genuine. He loved being with his family and we all will miss him terribly. Dad was born in the town of Jesus Maria, Aguascalientes, Mexico, on June 13, 1927.
As a young man, dad immigrated to the United States via the Bracero Program. He later petitioned and was granted extended legal status and was proud to finally become a United States Citizen several years later. Early in the 1950’s, he met and married our mother, Ramona Orosco Perez, a divorcee with six children of her own!
He didn’t care about that. He loved her, and by extension, her children: Robert, Martin, Theresa, Marjorie, Mary Ellen and Norma Perez. He and mom later added Elizabeth and Anthony to “the litter”.
Holidays at our house were a sight to behold! Dad owned a landscaping business in Santa Barbara for several years until he was sidelined by a stroke in 1983, which forced him to retire. They sold their home in Santa Barbara and moved to mom’s hometown in 1988, following our brother Anthony and his little family for new adventures in Lompoc.
After mom’s passing in November 2017, dad spent his days playing his usual game of solitaire, watching TV with mom’s blanket and reading glasses nearby, and missing her every single day. Prior to her passing, they were together for well over 60 years. It gives us peace to know that they are finally back together again.
The family would like to extend appreciation to Anthony and Josie Hernandez for the loving care they provided to both mom and dad in the years prior to their passing. A special thank you as well goes to our niece, Christina Ramirez, and to dad’s grandson, Vincent Hernandez, without whom dad’s 24 hour at-home care would not have been possible. Dad is survived by his children: Elizabeth Hernandez Reavill, Anthony L. (Josie) Hernandez, Martin (Mary) Perez, Theresa Perez Schweri, Marjorie Perez Romero, Mary Ellen Perez (Richard) Chacon, and Norma Perez (Bobby) Marquez.
He also leaves behind 96 grandchildren, give or take. He is predeceased by his wife, Ramona Hernandez, son Anthony R. Hernandez, and step-son Robert “Bobby” Perez who passed away on February 1, 2019. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at 10 AM, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 3495 Rucker Road, Lompoc.
A reception will be held immediately following in the church hall.
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