Andrew Bruno Fernandez Jr

Andy Fernandez, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, musician, athlete, music and movie lover and long-time DC sports fan lost his five-year battle to cancer Tuesday, December 5. He was 72. A DC native, Andy grew up in the city and later Alexandria and Arlington, VA attending St Rita’s Elementary School and later the second graduating class of Bishop Ireton High School. Andy married Vicki Curtiss in 1980 and was devoted to their children, Sara (Dean), and an incredibly proud father to Marine Sergeant, Tom Fernandez. Andy was PopPop to Sara’s daughters, Thalia and Shelby. PopPop adored those girls and always found a way to say yes to whatever they asked of him. Andy was a long-time surveyor in Northern Virginia and later had a 25-year career as a project manager for Hill International leading the major renovations of the Smithsonian Air & Space and Natural History Museums in DC. A true child of the 50s, Andy loved rock n roll, westerns, riding horseback, science fiction and baseball. A quick handed, rangy all-star, it was hard to get a ball past him at short. As a musician, he played percussion in popular local bands including the Buddy Band and later the Moondogs where the percussion, drum and guitar break in Black Magic Woman would bring a crowd to its feet. Andrew Bruno Fernandez Jr. was born November 4, 1951, to Andrew Bruno, Sr. and Maria Antonia Fernandez. Andrew Sr. passed suddenly at 45 and Andy became a constant and supportive presence in the lives of his three younger siblings Rick (Ellen), Maria (Blair) and Rosie (John). The Fernandez extended family is a big one and Andy was a caring and loving uncle to 9 nieces and nephews and was always happy to see the many cousins, spouses, and close friends that he greeted as family. Andy loved the family tradition of Sunday lunches where a good meal was usually followed by a lively poker game where 5 card, deuces was the game of choice. Andy had a full life lived well but was taken from us too soon. We will miss him dearly and imagine the family wagon cruising towards the heavenly Outer Banks with Dad at the wheel, Mom by his side and Andy riding shotgun with his dog Beau James and the Hatteras Light just in sight. A graveside service for Andrew will be held Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201.