Francisco Hernandez

Francisco (Frank) Hernandez, age 82, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2018 with his devoted loving family by his side. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Juanita, his parents, Angel, Senovia, and brother-in-law, Dan (Peggy). Dad is survived by his wife of 58 years, Priscilla, their five children Anthony (Connie), Marguerite, Maria, Concepta, Joseph, his son-in-law Ivan, and his grandchildren Aaron, Kristen and Leah. He was born in 1935 in Toledo, OH and has two brothers, Nicolas (Julie) and Fernando (Linda), and two sisters, Mary and Peggy. After he graduated from high school in Toledo, he joined the Air Force in February 1955, and served four years. After he served in the Air Force, he was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, where he met the love of his life and married Priscilla. They were married in 1959, had four daughters and two sons. Frank worked at Creamland Dairy for two years then became a mailman in 1961 at Branch 504. He enjoyed working for the post office, because of his co-workers and patrons. From 1962 to 1966 Dad served in the US Navy Reserves. After Dad retired from the post office in 1991 became the dedicated caring maintenance man at Immaculate Conception Church and loved serving St. Mary's school for 15 years before leaving in 2014.

He used his G.I. benefits from his years of service to our country for flying. It was a private pilot's license he pursued as he trained with his instructor Guadalupe Sosa. He passed his written exam then he did his solo flight out at the Los Lunas Airport in a Cessna 150, two-seater airplane on October 4, 1974. After he acquired his pilot's license, he was contracted to fly government dignitary officials around New Mexico. He once flew former Governor Toney Anaya from Santa Fe to Las Cruces.

Francisco was a great husband, father, brother, uncle, in-law, grandfather and friend. During the 1970's he would take his boys to YAFL football practice and help coach their teams. One of his favorite ways to enjoy his day off was to pick his children up after school and take them to Dairy Queen for dipped ice cream cones. There were many good times during his lifetime here in New Mexico and in Ohio.

Francisco's Life Celebration will begin with a Visitation on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Salazar Mortuary, followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church located at 619 Copper Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Burial will follow Services at 3:00 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Anthony Hernandez, Joseph Hernandez, Aaron Hernandez, David Hernandez, Jose Hernandez, and Ivan Silva.