Obituary of Edward Fernandez

Edward Fernandez, a longtime Madison resident, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 23, 2025, with his loving family by his side. He was 97.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 70 years, Catherine “Kay” Fernandez (Giumenta); his devoted children Edward J. Fernandez (Jessica Thomee) and Coral Fernandez; two cherished grandchildren Edward, Jr. and Katherine; three treasured great-grandchildren Edward III, Oliver, and Aden; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Edward was preceded in death by his siblings Julio, Angel, Antonio, Jose Luis, and Nieves. He is survived by his brother Gregorio.

Eduardo was born in Madrid, Spain on August 1, 1927, to the late Adeodato Fernandez Roson and Francisca Jaquete Boto. He left Spain and joined the merchant marines in the wake of the Spanish Civil war, landing at a port in Baltimore. There he met a Spanish priest, Father Lobo, who took him to New York City in 1947. Edward enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War and was sent to France to be an interpreter. He had a brilliant mind and taught himself how to read, write, and speak five languages on his own despite never attending public school.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, Edward attended New York University (NYU) with help from the GI Bill. He obtained his bachelors, master’s and PhD degrees in language from NYU, and subsequently became a language professor at the university. Edward met his future wife, Kay, at an  NYU dance and the couple instantly fell in love. They married six months later on September 19, 1954.

In 1967 Edward took a position as language professor at Fairleigh Dickenson University in Madison, eventually becoming the Chairman of the language department, and was beloved by all of his students. In his retirement, Edward volunteered at SAGE Eldercare in Summit and could always be found cultivating his garden.

Edward’s family lovingly remembers him as a selfless, compassionate man with a great sense of humor and fierce spirit for life, and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be deeply missed, but they take comfort in knowing he is at peace.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation for Edward to be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025 at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

A final visitation and memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home prior to interment at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Edward’s memory to SAGE Eldercare, 290 Broad Street, Summit, NJ 07901.