Daniel Rafael Hernandez Sr

Daniel Rafael Hernandez Sr. of Elizabeth, New Jersey passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2023 in Aventura Florida, he was 83 years old. He will be sadly missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Daniel was born in Havana, Cuba in 1940. He grew up in Artemisa, Cuba with his parents and siblings. Daniel attended university and received his bachelors degree in accounting. He worked at a local sugar mill where he worked his way up to a Controller. Daniel married Miriam Quijano in 1959 and welcomed sons Daniel Jr. and Osiris in 1962 and 1964 respectively. In 1972, he left Cuba with his family to pursue a better life in the United States. He settled in Elizabeth, New Jersey where he worked two jobs as a full-time machinist at Simmons and at Gallagher Tool & Die. In the early 1980s, Daniel started Hernandez & Son Plumbing and Heating. Daniel continued to work full-time while studying and ultimately obtaining his Master Plumbers license. Over the course of 40 years, the business grew, expanding from a team of two (Daniel Sr. and his eldest son, Daniel Jr.) to a corporation.

Upon semi-retirement, Daniel traveled throughout Europe. He loved history and culture and was an avid reader of war novels and books about his beloved Cuba. Daniel also loved music and enjoyed making slideshows of photos he took during his trips. Daniel’s favorite places to be where at the dominoes table with his sons and friends or on his Boston Whaler fishing for grouper. Daniel also loved and took great pride in his family. He especially loved seeing his granez and brother Ernesto Hernandez, his beloved children, Daniel Rafael Hernandez Jr. and Osiris Hernadchildren and great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Miriam Hernandez, his sister Aleida Rodrigundez. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ashley Collins, Daniel Hernandez, Robert Hernandez and Alexander Hernandez, as well as his great-grandchildren, Juliet Collins, Jack Louis Collins and Dominic Hernandez who affectionately called him YoYo. Daniel Sr. also leaves behind his nieces and nephews whose visits he enjoyed so much. Daniel is predeceased by his parents.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation to celebrate Daniel's life on Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 East St. George Ave. Linden, NJ 07036.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made in Daniel's memory to the American Cancer Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.krowickifuneralhome.com for the Hernandez family.