Pablo Fernandez Jr.

Pablo Fernandez Jr., passed away peacefully in his home, in the comfort & care of his family at the age 89 on Friday November 26, 2021. He was born to Pablo and Lucia Fernandez in Progresso Texas on July 20, 1932. Pablo met Celia Salinas in Sunnyside WA in 1955. They met at the Sunnyside city park. As a couple they migrated between Texas and Washington state following work opportunities. They got married on 1959 in Weslaco TX and had 6 children; Juanita Clifford, Rosalinda Fernandez, Ana Bermudez, Nelly Hernandez, Rachel Fernandez and they had one son, the late Fernando Fernandez. Pablo and his family decided to settle in Sunnyside WA in 1963, along with our grandparents Canuto and Librada Salinas. According to the Sunnyside Historical Museum our family was recognized as “pioneers” being one of the early Mexican American families to reside in Sunnyside as currently documented at the Museum. Pablo started working as a young boy in agricultural and farming alongside his brothers to help support the family. This eventually led to his career job at the Grandview WA Safeway produce plant.There he worked for over 25 years and retired. He performed a variety of tasks that produced Safeway products. Some of his tasks were; doing physical labor jobs, quality control, operating factory equipment, and ensured all products were distributed on time. Pablo enjoyed shooting pool and was a great billiards player; he was an “ace” at playing cards and dominoes too! But his favorite pastime was watching baseball, especially the Seattle Mariners baseball team. He traveled frequently to Seattle to watch the Mariners play in the Kingdome. Pablo liked to go camping, particularly to Mt. Rainer where we would sleep in the back of the station wagon and wake up to the smell of bacon that he was cooking! He also liked singing, telling tall tales, and jokes! He was a member of the St. Joseph Church, Sunnyside, WA.

Pablo is survived by his former wife, Celia Salinas of 40 years. Children Juanita Clifford and her husband Robert Clifford, their son Alton A.Clifford, Rosalinda Fernandez and her children Mandy Nicacio, & JoeTristan, Ana Bermudez and her children Raymond Bermudez, Delilah Bermudez, & Liza Bermudez, Nelly Hernandez and her children Robert Nunez & JC Nunez, Rachel Fernandez and her children Savannah Granados, Ismael Jr. Zavala, & Mercedes Zavala, and the children of his late son Fernando Fernandez; Celestina Fernandez, Reymande F. Strong, & Trishelle Fernandez. He is also survived by his Great Grandchildren: Kaylyn Maus, Isabella Nicacio, Pablo Jr. Nicacio, Antonio Nicacio, Vincent Nicacio, Amayah & Ethan Tristan, JJ Gomez, Desanay & Britnee Guerro, Genesis Bermudez, Noah Nunez, Armani Michael Nunez Cachu, Jermyah & Natalie Granados, Josyiah & Mikah Fernandez, Zaydian Zavala, Jose Sanchez. Great-Great grandchildren:Jaxen & Liam Maus, Florentino Sanchez, Iverson & Nyla Gomez. His siblings: Frank Fernandez, Ruben Fernandez, Israel Fernandez, Maggie Matulich and Julie Rodriguez.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA. Funeral Mass will be on Monday, December 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sunnyside, WA with burial to follow at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside, WA. Those wishing to sign Pablo's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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