Obituaries 12-24-15

Gabriel Hernandez
Gabriel Hernandez died on Dec. 15, 2015. Born in Zinaparo, Michoacán, Mexico in 1926, he, along with his wife, Graciela, and first born son, Manuel, immigrated to California in 1950. Gabriel worked as a farmhand on the McLaughlin Ranch west of Cloverdale until 1955, when he began a 33-year career in the lumber industry – three years at Kinton Lumber in Cloverdale and 30 years at Louisiana Pacific in Asti. He retired in 1988 as a journeyman steam boiler operator. Gabriel was also a grape and prune grower for six years in Geyserville, as well as a successful investor/remodeler of residential homes for many years in Healdsburg. Having come from humble beginnings, he took tremendous pride in his accomplishments which allowed him to amply support his family. He proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1970. He is survived by seven children – Manuel (Carmen) Hernandez, Gabriel Hernandez Jr., Joe Hernandez (Danette), Grace (Carlos) Sanchez, Carlos (Stella) Hernandez, Richard (Debra) Hernandez and William (Trisha) Hernandez; nine grandchildren; Lisa, Sara, Mariah, Marcos, Michael, Alex, Leila, Roman and Victor and seven great-grandchildren.  He was loved dearly and will be equally missed. Funeral services will be at Fred Young Funeral Home, 428 N. Cloverdale Blvd, Cloverdale, on Dec. 22 with viewing at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Oakmound Cemetery in Healdsburg.