Raul Ignacio Hernandez

1948 - 2013

Raul Ignacio Hernandez obituary, 1948-2013, Homestead, FL

BORN

1948

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Branam Funeral Home Memorial Plan

809 North Krome Avenue

Homestead, Florida

Raul Hernandez Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 17, 2013.

Raul Ignacio Hernandez, 64, of Homestead, Florida, passed away at his home on February 16, 2013, after a five-year fight with melanoma.
Born in Regla, a province of Havana, Cuba, on July 31, 1948, to Carmen Gonzalez and Joseph "Pepe" Hernandez, Raul immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1956 and settled in Key West, Florida, where he spent most of his adult life. As a young boy, Raul attended San Carlos Institute and later graduated from Key West High in 1967. He received his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University College of Education in 1972. In 1982 he married his sweetheart, Elsa Roque, daughter of Maria Elena Suarez and Clemente Roque.
Raul loved teaching. After graduating from college, Raul spent more than 25 years as a Monroe County school teacher. He taught Spanish, English for speakers of other languages, and physical education. Raul also taught fourth grade education at Gerald Adams Elementary, Sugar Loaf Elementary, and Glynn Archer Elementary. During summer breaks, he and his wife took long car trips throughout the United States. Raul loved to bring history to life, whether it was camping in one of the great national parks or taking a leisurely ride down Route 66 toward the Wild West. To Raul, it was all about the journey, not the destination.
But most of all, Raul loved the game of baseball. It was his passion. He joined the Lion's Club Little League team in 1958 and also played for the Elks' team in the Little Conch League. Later, as third baseman in the Key West Men's Softball League, he played for such teams as Caballeros de la Luz, Canvas Creations, Faustos, and Sloppy Joes. While at Florida State University, he also played for the Cuban Comets. Raul was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and often traveled to see them practice during spring training camp. But even so, Raul loved the excitement and skill involved in a good game, even if that meant that his beloved Yankees lost.
Raul remained a teacher in Key West until his retirement in 2005. He and his wife settled in Old Town, Florida, on a 23-acre parcel of land they named High Robles. There, Raul loved to host family gatherings, build bonfires, and entertain his younger cousins with tall tales of mysterious creatures prowling the banks of the Suwannee River. While in Old Town, Raul was an active member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Cross City, Florida, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus. Due to the onset of illness in 2008, Raul and his wife relocated back south to Homestead, Florida, to be close to family and friends.
Raul Is survived by his wife Elsa; his maternal cousin Charles Bearham, his wife Lydia, and their twin daughters, Hannah and Mikaela; and his paternal cousin, Olga Felipe, her husband Ernesto, and their children Ivette and Ernesto, Jr.
The family invites family and friends to celebrate Raul's life with them. A viewing will be held in Key West at Dean-Lopez Funeral Home, 418 Simonton Street, on Tuesday, February 19, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a memorial service at The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea, 1010 Windsor Lane, at 1 p.m. Burial will take place at Key West Cemetery. Visit the Branam Funeral Home website at www.Branamfuneralhome.com for further information and view a short video of Raul's life. Donations can be made to The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea for the Adoration Chapel Faith Walk. For information, call Maritere Cardenas at 786-587-9883.

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March 1, 2013

Mike Billow

I just heard of Raul's passing, and I'm stunned! Raul, John Ward, Gil Hall, Bob Hines, and I were roommates at Florida State University during our junior year. That was a special year for me. We had a lively, and exciting time! I can still remember Raul the term he had swimming class first thing in the morning, and it was COLD! I will always remember helping him with his kinesiology class. I learned a whole different side of physics that term. RIP, friend. I enjoyed our time together.

February 25, 2013

Zaida Fallon

Dearest Elsa, how sad it was to hear of Raul's passing. Such a very nice person. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of his family.
Love your friend, Zaida Vargas Fallon

February 25, 2013

Mr. Hernandez taught my daughter, Heidi Rose Taylor at Glynn Archer in 1996. I can remember Heidi coming home talking about the different trips Mr. Hernandez took and how interesting they seemed to be. In fact because of Mr. Hernandez my husband and I took Heidi to see Jamestown and Williamsburg. I used to volunteer a lot for field trips and Mr. Hernandez was always so much fun. Darlene Bradford (Pinder)

February 22, 2013

JOHN WARD

A genuine good friend you were to me Raul. Your passing stunned me. We had some great times in Tallahassee at Florida State University.Being roommates there in our Junior year, was a special time for me. We were always competing in basketball, baseball,as well as football. The memories seem like yesterday. Many nights we stayed up all night cramming for final exams. We taught together after this at Harris Elementary in Key West, where you were as dedicated a Physical Education teacher I have seen. You were a diehard Yankees fan, and I was, and still am, a diehard Cincinnati Redlegs fan.Oh,the arguments,I mean discussions, we had on that topic. Particularly,Johnny Bench versus Thurmond Munson. You were a true friend and I hope you are at peace with the Lord. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife. We were all fortunate to have known you. God Bless You.

February 19, 2013

Richard Roberts

We will miss you Raul, many good times at Bayview Park, Perry Court & new Wickers Field. You were a light to many & it was always a pleasure to be around you. Hope you & your dad are reunited & looking down on us.

February 19, 2013

Ms. Elsa,
Mr. Hernandez was a good man. Be strong Ms. Elsa. God is with us at all times.

Ms. Josephson, Key West.

February 19, 2013

Rosemarie Menendez-Ward

Raul and his parents lived near me in Key West. I remember when he worked at Winn Dixie across from my parent's store. Later on he was my husband's roommate at Florida State, and after graduation taught with my husband at Harris Elementary. He was a really good guy and will be missed. My condolences to you and your family.

February 19, 2013

Violet Hernandez Nacrelli

Always a sweet and gentle man. I will miss my former classmate. My condolences to the family.

February 18, 2013

Jose M. Valdez

My condolences to Elsa and to Raul's family for his untimely passing. Raul and I were classmates throughout our school days in Key West, graduating high school together in 1967. We lost contact over the years however I have fond memories of my likable schoolmate. May he rest in the peace of the Lord, and may the Lord comfort you during this difficult time.

February 18, 2013

Celia Bazemore

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

February 18, 2013

Carlos Victores

Hearing of your passing made me recall the years that we as a group of friends spent on the local playgrounds playing softball, football and the occasional stick ball and cork ball. I miss those days and I will miss you. Rest in peace my friend.

February 18, 2013

Dennis Baso

Friends since the third grade. We played ball together. went riding in my beat up car, many times I would sit and have dinner with him and his parents. A great son from great parents. Later years, we helped create our Southernmost APBA league, table top baseball that we enjoyed for about 13 years. I'll always remember the bag of goodies that he would bring to eat while we played. We would joke that Elsa must be inside the bag passing him food, because it seemed that one bag couldn't carry that much.

Raul, as you said when our league broke up, "It was a good run". That's how I feel about your life and our friendship. We had a good run. I love you my friend. I won't say, "Good Bye", just "See you later".

Posted by Dennis Baso

February 18, 2013

Ino y Gloria Velazquez

Realmente sentimos no poder acompañarlos, pero nuestra oraciones estan con Uds.
Elsa sien algo te podemos ser utiles, solo dejanos saber
En el poco tiempo que les conocimos, llegamos a quererlos mucho

February 18, 2013

Charles Bearham

Raul...
We have enjoyed sharing our "Journey" together. We love you, know that we will never forget you and that no matter where we are, you will always be in our hearts.

Elsa:

Someone told us that they are a better person because Raul made them better! How true, we all are better because he touched our lives. Our mission now is to carry that on for him. Know that we are always here for you...I will keep my promise!

Love you.
Charlie, Lydia, Hannah & Mikaela Bearham

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