George Fernandez

MILFORD – George Fernandez, 82, passed away January 4, 2014, in Milford, Maine. He was born July 20, 1931 in New York City, son of Helen and Joseph Fernandez.
George grew up in New York City, and left to attend college at Oswego State Teacher’s College in Oswego, New York (now State University of New York at Oswego) to become a teacher. After completing his degree, he began his teaching career in Glens Falls, New York, later becoming the Principal of the elementary school in Tillson, New York. He joined the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New Paltz, New York where he served in various capacities as Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Superintendent and Acting Superintendent. His focus was on curriculum development and serving multiple school districts in Ulster County, New York. He earned his Masters of Education from the State University of New York at Albany, and completed all of the coursework towards his EdD degree, as well as achieving numerous certifications in public education over the years. He retired from public schools in 1988, and moved to Maine with his wife, Lillian, where they bought a home in Old Town and later moved to Milford.
During his retirement years, George was active with family and in his community. He served as a supervisor for Education majors doing their student teaching from the University of Maine College of Education. He also served as a State of Maine Ombudsman for the Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program working closely with Ross Manor in Bangor. George was intellectually curious about the world around him, and enjoyed taking in both cultural and scholarly events at the University of Maine, the greater Bangor area, and in the coastal region. Years before his retirement, George and Lillian built a cedar log cabin on the Skillings River in Lamoine, where they enjoyed a great deal of time during the retirement years. George loved their cabin and life in coastal Maine. For many years he also had a lobster license and a fourteen foot aluminum boat that he used to set four traps to provide the family with plenty of fresh Maine lobster. Over the years, he and his wife provided many great memories at the cabin for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.
George is survived by Lillian, his loving wife of 61 years, who was his constant partner and source of strength throughout their lives together. He is also survived by his son, Ivan Fernandez and daughter-in-law, Mary Fernandez, of Milford; grandsons Isaac Fernandez of Simsbury, Connecticut and Devon Fernandez of Londonderry, New Hampshire, step-grandsons Corey Thibodeau of Holden, Maine and Gregory Thibodeau of Newburgh, Maine; and step-greatgrandchildren Isabella, Dylan, and Lexi. He was predeceased by his parents, brother James and sister Inez.
There will be a private family remembrance at a later date. Gifts in George’s memory may be sent to the ALS Association (http://www.alsa.org/donate/) or to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are in the care of Brookings-Smith Funeral Home, 133 Center Street, Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSm
ith.com.