Nicholas Hernandez

Nicholas was born in Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Mexico and immigrated to San Diego at 7; he lived here for 66 years. Nick’s parents were Sixto Reyes Hernandez and Rosa Torres and was also preceded in death by his brother Manuel, sisters, Catalina, Rachael and Candelaria. He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Connie, four children and their spouses, Nicholas, Clarissa Castillo (Raul), Carina Hernandez-Carrillo (Mark), Concepcion (Lonnie), nine grandchildren, Raul, Mommies, Brenda, Athena, Matthew, Buddy, Moses, Linda Rose, and Cass, one great-grandson, Jayden, brothers, Paul, Joe, and Frank, sisters, Celia, Salome, Jessie, Carmen and Lola and numerous nieces and nephews. His family was always his first love and priority but managed to serve in many professional capacities, community activism, and founding a local charity.

He would recall as a child riding horses and plowing the fields with his father on a ranch in Mexico. It is from his parents that at an early age he inherited his unwavering work ethic, commitment to family and community, and faith in God. When he came to the United States as a seven year old, he spoke very little English and was frustrated with his Kindergarten teacher who spoke no Spanish. Seven year-old Nick was not impressed. Even with that educational start he went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in History, a Teaching Credential from San Diego State University and studied at the George Meany Labor Studies Institute in Maryland.

He began his professional career as a Finish Carpenter and rose to serve as Business Agent and Financial Secretary of Carpenter’s Local 2020. Nick also served as a Trustee on the Carpenter’s Pension and Health and Welfare Trust and the Southern California Lumberman’s Pension and Health and Welfare Trust.

He worked for the national AFL-CIO, a proud friend to Cesar Chavez especially during his boycotts and marches throughout California. Cesar often called on Nick and local labor organizations to assist in these efforts. During his time in San Diego, Cesar, his most trusted confidants, and his dogs Boycott and Huelga, would spend the night with the Hernandez family.

Vietnam and Uncle Sam called Nicolas to serve in 1967; he was a combat infantryman, a medic and a machine gunner in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam near Pleiku earning many service medals including two purple hearts. He was a patriot and would always speak of the importance of honoring veterans.

Upon returning home, he worked in the trade and then joined the leadership of the union and continued to serve as a labor leader for over 20 years. During that time he created many union job opportunities for the communities of color and women…always ready to help young men and women and always ready to lead or join a picket line for a just cause. Additionally, he coached little league, his daughter’s softball teams and never missed a football, baseball, softball, or basketball game for his children and grandchildren.

Nicolas supported many local elected officials through campaigning, walking precincts, and mobilizing voter registration drives; recruiting and organizing community members. He served on United Way of San Diego’s Latino Future Scan, the Mayor’s Latino Advisory Committee, and founded the local chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. He worked with the San Diego and Imperial Valley Labor Council, San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, member of the VFW, Don Diego Post, worked for AmeriCorps, Corporation for National and Community Service, and was the Director of MAAC Project’s first YouthBuild program.

After working in the trades and labor, and various professional organizations, Nick earned a teaching credential and began working for the Sweetwater High School District teaching History, Social Studies, and Special Education classes and then went on to teach Adult Education. His career ended full circle as he taught a Building Maintenance Class, specializing in Carpentry, Plumbing, and Electrical trades. He especially enjoyed teaching the many veterans who participated in his classes. He never retired by choice, he loved his job and helping many of the veterans in his class. His war stories are legendary and his students provided a perfect audience. His career concluded full circle as he began working as a carpenter and ended teaching a profession he mastered. His students call him, Maestro.

Nick volunteered with many organizations including, the Cesar Chavez Service Clubs, coordinated campaigns for the Southwest Voter and Registration Project, and was a founding board member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego.

He received awards for his outstanding work for the community in Labor from: The Barrio Station, Rayos del Sol Award, and for his service as a Board founder/member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego.

Nick and Connie lost a son to leukemia in 1976 and their grief turned to community action as founding members of the local Ronald McDonald House here in San Diego. During the construction of the house, because of his labor associations, Nick approached organized labor unions and they provided most of the labor free of cost. Nick served as President of the Board of Directors of the Charity and continued to help up until last week when his students presented Super Hero themed jewelry boxes to the current residents. The San Diego Ronald McDonald House was the 19th house to open in the United States; today there are over 300 houses in every continent, all over the world. Nick considered the founding of the RMH, a “Home Away From Home” and, “The House that Love Built,” as his most proud achievement…this movement helped heal the loss of his son, brought hope and comfort to thousands of families and provided a sense of pride in honoring the memory of his son, Matthew.

Through his many careers, Nicolas served his community as an ardent soldier in labor, politics, an advocate for education and veteran rights, was passionate about social justice, working with community groups promoting opportunities for all. He will be remembered for his unparalleled work ethic his devotion to family. He was a gentleman, an historian, community activist, labor leader, educator, war hero, and head of a family of achievers guided and influenced by his example. Most important he was a good son, brother, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, Nino, compadre, friend, hero, role model, and an outstanding human being. Nick touched thousands of lives through his work and caring spirit and he will live on through his family and legacy of good work.

Rosary at 11:00 a.m., Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1770 Kearney Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113. Military internment, Miramar National Cemetery at 2:p.m.