Delfino "Dale" Hernandez

Dale was born in Torrington, Wyoming on October 23rd, 1947. He was one of eleven children welcomed by Ralph and Mary Hernandez. Dale grew up in Cheyenne with his many brothers and sisters. He spent many an afternoon helping his father dress and butcher a deer or pig and listening to him play Spanish music on his guitar. They also loved to fish and that stayed with Dale his whole life. While the family didn’t have a lot of money, they had the love of each other, which saw them through many tough times.

Following high school, Dale worked for the railroad as a laborer, and later moved on to the construction trades, where he would work on everything from concrete to roofing during his long career. He was no stranger to hard work and taking care of his family. He married Roberta Valdez and they had two sons, Chad and Marc. They would later divorce.

In 1980, Dale found the love of his life, Gloria Belmarez, and they were married in Las Vegas, Nevada. They eventually settled in Fort Collins and had two more sons, Steven and Michael. Dale and Gloria celebrated 26 wonderful years together until the time of her passing in 2009. Dale loved Gloria dearly and they were able to create a beautiful life together. He continued working and eventually retired after many years at Poudre Valley Hospital working in Environmental Services.

Dale was a kind soul and a good man. He was generous of heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He had a quick, yet quiet wit about him, always ready with a smile and a joke to lighten the mood. He loved to laugh! He didn’t know a stranger and was known to be a great friend and someone everyone enjoyed to be around. Dale touched a great many lives. He was a man of strong character and work ethic, and he was truly an inspiration to everyone, especially his four sons. He loved the Denver Broncos, his oldies, and a good Al Hurricane song, and would never miss an opportunity to go out dancing with Gloria. In his later years, his grace, humor, and independent streak in the face of sometimes debilitating illness were an inspiration to all of us, but most especially to Steve, Danielle, and their family, who opened their home to him and were his loving caregivers throughout it all.

More than anything else in the world, Dale loved his family. Dale was a loving and supportive father. His children were his pride and his joy. His grandchildren were his world, and he loved laughing, joking with them, and spoiling them. He was loved by so many and he made the world a much more fun place to be. We were all blessed to have Dale in our lives and he will truly be missed.

Dale’s legacy of family will live on in the hearts and the lives of his sons, Steven Hernandez (Danielle), Michael Hernandez, Chad Hernandez (Brittany), and Marc Hernandez (Penney); his 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Frank Hernandez (Genevieve), Gilbert Hernandez (Annette), Paul Hernandez (Cindy), and James Hernandez; sisters, Jennie Hernandez, and Delores Hernandez (Jessie); as well as many other relatives and close friends that he held near to his heart; and by his small furry companion, Sammie the dog.

He is welcomed in Heaven by his beloved wife of more than 26 years, Gloria Hernandez, brothers, Henry "Hank" Hernandez and Ralph Hernandez, sisters Josie Hernandez and Carmen Hernandez, and by his parents.

Treasured memories of Dale and words of condolence for his family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.