Jesse Hernandez

To Jesse Hernandez, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Jesse, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Jesse really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Jesse was born on February 5, 1952 at home in Juarez, Mexico. His parents were Adrian and Julia Hernandez. Jesse's Mom died when he was eight. He had to mature quickly and took a job to not be a burden on his sister, who took him in along with 2 of his younger sisters. At twelve his Dad brought him and 4 of his siblings to Arizona and he went to school practically for the first time, he'd gone for a few months sporadically in Mexico. Jesse lived in Arizona for most of his life. His Dad remarried and both parents were strict disciplinarians. Chores were mandated but Jesse made sure to do his school homework and quickly learned English and was an A student, earning scholastic awards as well as ribbons and medals in Field Day sports competition.

Always a good playmate, Jesse was imaginative and creative; one of his favorite games was a pretend wedding. Jesse's Mom had her first of 13, born in January 1933 and her last in January 1959. Jesse was the 10th child. His 12 siblings were Jose, Ana, Elvira, Teresa, Raul, Antonio, Petra, Miguel, Angel, Vicky, Estela, and Lupe.

He had a great sense of humor yet took his classroom behavior serious, and respected his teachers, whom he would quote later in his life, which he said helped him during tough times. Jesse loved music and was naturally good at dancing. He'd go to El Calderon and Riverside ballrooms and was asked to participate in many weddings as a groomsman. His stepmother who never had children of her own was overly strict and had little compassion for preteen and teen mistakes, and family fights broke out, between Jesse, his step grandmother and stepmother. His father threw him out of the house during his H.S. senior year even though the school nurse asked his Dad to wait until Jesse graduated. Although Jesse had been working part-time up to then, it was too much for him so he dropped out, something he resented all his life. He got his G.E.D. year’s later, loved learning and was artistic, and even learned to do flower arrangements.

He earned his culinary degree from Scottsdale Culinary Institute. Jesse often entertained friends and family, preparing big meals and setting up a buffet table, or throwing parties for his buddies.

He was there for any of his siblings in need, taking someone to the hospital, often sending money, packages with presents, or giving rides from Mexico to Arizona, as well as attending graduations. He enjoyed road trips to visit family. As much as he wanted and did his utmost Jesse tried to maintain a cheerful outlook on life even with his hardships and sadness. In 1991 he called his sis Estela and said "I have something to tell you about me and you're going to hate me" she replied "Jesse I could never hate you, what did you do kill someone?" "I'm gay, said". Needless to say she convinced him of her unconditional love. His partner of 42 yrs. Jerry C. became a close friend of Estela and her family. He liked telling the story of how he and his best friend Charlie met Jerry at a disco in 1972. They moved to San Francisco shortly thereafter.

Jesse's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Jesse as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was a Chef / Restaurant Owner. He was employed as a Chef for 25 years.

He became interested and enjoyed playing golf and even worked at a golf club. When Jesse liked something he became passionate about it, wanting to be the best he could be at it, and that's how golf was like to him.

He was a devout Catholic all his life but from 2001 he attended mass weekly and had regular talks with the priest, asking for prayer for family and friends going through rough times. Since 2004 he went to St. Joachim Catholic Church in Youngtown, Arizona.

Living life in the fast lane suited Jesse just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included San Francisco, the Los Angeles area, New Mexico, El Paso, and Guadalajara, Mexico.

Jesse was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. His last pet was a dachshund chihuahua mix named Baby that was his animal companion for the last the 3 years.

Unfortunately Jesse was disabled at the age of 48. He joined a club for persons with his illness where he was able to identify and not feel so alone.

Jesse passed away on June 6, 2015 at Hospice of the Valley in Glendale, Arizona. Jesse fought a 15 year brave battle that began with AIDS, open heart surgery for a valve problem, a life threatening brain aneurism, an aorta aneurism, and a groin/hip area aneurism. He went into remission for colon cancer which later returned malignant and rapidly spread. He is survived by five sisters and two brothers, and predeceased by his parents, and five of his older siblings. He left close to ninety nephews and nieces. Services were held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Jesse was laid to rest in Resthaven Park Cemetery.

Jesse was somewhat of a perfectionist and had his way of how things should be done. It was hard for him to maintain his lifestyle, and suffered bouts of depression, all too human. Still he managed to stay as optimistic as he could. His brother Angel would call him almost every day of the week around 6:00 a.m. He maintained a close connection by phone calls and visits from his sisters. At times he became irritable and impatient, then back to his good natured easy going self. Jesse had the gift of gab

and of being naturally funny, up until his last hours of consciousness he had his sisters and nieces in laughter. He leaves a great legacy of stories, fun memories and will not be forgotten but remembered with love.