Sergio D. Hernandez

Sergio "Chello" Damian Hernandez passed away peacefully at Amber Lake Assisted Living facility in Kissimmee, Florida on October 2nd, 2023, at the age 98.

Sergio was born on September 27, 1925 in Las Nuevas del Jibaro, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba. He was the son of Secundino Hernandez and Ana Aquino. Sergio was the oldest of five children. He had two brothers and two sisters, Humberto, Orlando, Dora and Edilia.

The family owned two cattle ranches in the area. In the 1950s, they hired a manager to run the ranches and moved to the city of Sancti Spiritus, where his father bought a building with a grocery store and residential units. As a teenager, Sergio got his start in the retail business as a clerk and helper. Years later, his father had the old building demolished and replaced it with a modern building, providing business space and apartments for the parents and all the children. Sergio was given the corner store, where he established a children clothing and toy store, selling merchandise for children from birth through teens, beginning his career as a businessman. Unfortunately, after the Castros consolidated power and declared their allegiance to communism, all private property was confiscated and his store, along with all merchandise was taken over one night in 1963.

In 1965, Sergio and his wife Albertina filed an application to leave the country under the Cuban refugee program started by US President Johnson. As communist regimes always do, as punishment for daring to want to leave, Sergio was fired from his job and sent to a forced labor camp. He was later able to be excused from this punishment for health reasons. Thanks to God almighty, the permission to abandon the country with his wife Albertina and their sons Sergio and Daniel was approved. The family flew out of Varadero, Cuba to Miami, Florida on March 17, 1969, on one of two daily "Freedom Flights". They settled in West New York, NJ to begin their new life in the United States.

Later, as Sergio was able to increase his savings, he resumed his business career as a part-time salesman after work and on weekends. He would sell anything and everything. Friends once joked about him having sold everything except for caskets. He was a natural born salesman!
Sergio's last position before he retired at age 75 was at the Orlando Airport Marriott Hotel in a maintenance capacity. As a star employee, he received awards and recognition for his excellent performance and work ethic; earning the respect of his leaders and co-workers along the way.
In his later years, he focused on his spiritual growth. He became more involved in Catholic Church activities, attending several retreats and meeting regularly with a Bible study group. He was a devout Catholic and shared his knowledge of the Word of God with friends and family. He also developed a strong belief in natural medicine and relied on nutritional supplements for good health and disease prevention. He was known to share his passion for healthy living and nutritional supplements with family and friends advising others on how to stay healthy.

In addition to his parents, Sergio was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years Albertina, his brothers Humberto and Orlando and sisters Dora and Edilia. He is survived by his sons Sergio A Hernandez and his wife Sheri, Daniel L Hernandez and his wife Yenni, his grandchildren Daniel, Jessica, Anthony, Joshua and Jonathan, and 5 great grandchildren.

To share your memories of Sergio or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.


All Services will be held on Friday, October 6th, 2023.
Visitation-12-2:00 PM
Mary Mother of God Chapel
San Pedro Center
2400 Dike Road, Winter Park, FL 32792

Service Mass- 2:00 PM
Mary Mother of God Chapel
San Pedro Center
2400 Dike Road, Winter Park, FL 32792

Committal Service-3:00 PM
Queen of Angels Catholic Cemetery
1901 Queen of Angels Drive, Winter Park, FL 32792