Santiago A Hernandez

Santiago A Hernandez, age 73, surrounded by his bedside, his loving wife, children and grandchildren as he passed away peacefully at his El Cajon, CA home October 17, 2018 after a rapid battle with lung cancer.

Born April 21, 1945 to Santiago C Hernandez and Emilia Martinez in National City, San Diego. Santiago grew up in Imperial Beach, attended Mar Vista High, was in track and field and played baseball. He skipped the Padres tryout; instead fulfilled his beloved Father’s dream to go fishing. Santiago served in the United States Army between October 1967 and July 1969 in Vietnam. He was drafted at the age of 22 and was honorably discharged a Specialist Four Technician, he received medals and awards. A month after his return from Vietnam, he married his sweetheart, the girl next door, Gloria Flores-Amaya, married 49 years on August 22, 2018. Santiago competed the Vegas Shoot prestigious indoor archery tournament, worked on a NASA project at North American company in Los Angeles, worked at General Dynamics Nassco between 1974-1985. It was 1986, Santiago’s dream career of 15+ years in the sportfishing industry began. Santiago was an active member to the Lemon Grove Rod and Gun Club. He has contributed his fishing expertise to support Dementia and Alzheimer’s residents fishing trips at Santee Lakes by setting up fishing rods with bait and teach them how to catch a fish, his contribution has activated residents’ memory of longtime love for the sport. He was recognized amongst his networks and was a passionate friend. His extraordinary passion for deep sea sportfishing, lake fishing, trap shooting, custom rod wrapping and his good-natured, easy-going, always the benevolent character; has left a lasting impact around people he knew. Santiago alias “Jim” to close family and friends, “Tata” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Santiago is survived by his wife, Gloria, Father of three: Santiago Hernandez (Ghaeda), John Hernandez (Rhonda), and Raquel Trowbridge, Grandfather of eight: Heather Miinch (Taylor), Samantha Hernandez, Victoria Trowbridge, Johnny Hernandez II, Vanessa Trowbridge, Sosefina Hernandez, Nataly Hernandez (Jessie), and Shawn Trowbridge, Great Grandfather of two: Levi Miinch and Nixon Miinch, Step Grandfather of three: Serena, Savannah, and Christopher, and Brother of seven: Joe Hernandez (Theresa), Natalie (Dec), Jessie Hernandez, Blanche Malahy, Richard Hernandez (Dec), Alicia Griffaw-Powers, and Raymond Hernandez

Celebration of Life service will be held at The Shadow Mountain Community Church, 2100 Greenfield Drive, California. November 17, 2018 at 11:00 A.M.