OFFICIAL Obit. appearing in tomorrows Syracuse Newspaper: FRANK FERNANDEZ Obituary FRANK FERNANDEZ, 95, of Solvay, NY passed away on Friday, August 8, 2014, at The Nottingham, surrounded with the love and support of his entire family. He was born in Solvay, NY in 1918, a son to the late Lorenzo and Salome Maria (Garcia) Fernandez, immigrants from Spain. Frank was a graduate of Solvay High School, and of Syracuse University where he earned both his BA (cum laude) and his MBA. He started his career on Wall St. working for the public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co., as a Certified Public Accountant. His career was interrupted by WWII, where he served in both the US Air Force and the US Army Divisions of Finance, from which he later received an Honorable Discharge as an Officer. Upon discharge, he returned to Arthur Andersen where his skills and fluency in Spanish afforded him the opportunity to lead the audits of several multinational companies throughout Mexico, South America and Cuba. He married the late, Havana–born Dulce Maria Rodriguez in 1946, and returned with her to the United States. From New York City they ultimately returned to Solvay, NY, where Frank started an accounting practice and began teaching at Syracuse University. In Solvay, they raised five children. During that time, Frank accepted a position at LeMoyne College, leading to a 30 year career in education where he became Chairman of the Accounting and Business Departments. LeMoyne College later awarded him an Honorary Doctors Degree of Humane Letters and conferred upon him the title Professor Emeritus. Throughout his tenure at LeMoyne and while maintaining his private practice in accounting, Frank was professionally recognized for his many accomplishments by the American Institute of CPAs, the NYS Society of CPAs, the National Association of Accountants, the American Accounting Association, the American Society of Educators and numerous other professional organizations. At the request of the NYS Education Department, Frank served as a Consultant for NYS’s Regents College Degree Program in Accounting and also served as Advisor for the Central NY Students Self-Study External Degree Program. For his steadfast commitment to education, Frank was awarded Lifetime Honorary membership in the NYS Parent-Teachers Association. But most important to Frank in his professional life, was the satisfaction he gleaned from spending time with his students, assisting them in the development of their careers, and in providing business and personal support to the variety of immigrants in the Solvay and nearby communities. Throughout his career, Frank also served on the Board of Directors of various charitable and business organizations, including the Solvay Bank, where he served as a Director for 40 years. In further service to the local community, Frank served as President of the Solvay School Board, as Treasurer for the Village of Solvay, and for St. Cecilia’s Parish he served as Chairman of the Capital Campaigns for the Convent, the School, the Heritage Initiative and the Diocese. He also served as the Parish’s auditor for 10 years and was a member of the St. Cecilia’s Parish Advisory Council and Holy Names Society. His memberships included the Solvay – Geddes Veterans, Solvay Tigers A.C., and the Community Youth Center. Frank was a devoted husband who adored his wife throughout their 67 years of marriage, a loving and supportive father, and a doting grandfather and great grandfather. His love, unfaltering wisdom, strength and guidance will forever be carried in the hearts of all his family. Frank is survived by his five children: Frank L. Fernandez (Maureen) of Atlanta, GA, Richard “Jay-Alexander” Fernandez of Miami, FL, Rodney T. Fernandez of Endwell, NY, Dulce M. Fernandez and Georgette E. Fernandez of Syracuse, NY; eight grandchildren: Kristina, Alexandra, Conor, Andrea, Samantha, Stephen, Devon and Claudia; a great granddaughter, Cristiana; and several nieces and nephews. Frank’s granddaughter, Keenan Fernandez, predeceased him in 2008. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am Tuesday, August 12th at St. Cecelia Church, 1001 Woods Rd, Solvay. A private Rite of Committal and burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Syracuse. Family and friends may call Monday from 4 to 7pm at St. Cecilia Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Frank’s memory to the LeMoyne College Accounting Alumni Frank Fernandez Scholarship Fund at LeMoyne College, 1419 Salt Springs Rd., Syracuse, NY 13214.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 19:59:08 +0000
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