Anthony Hernandez

On January 10, 2015 Anthony James Hernandez lost his 39 year battle against the heart disease HCM. Born March 29, 1957 in Inglewood, CA, Tony was the eldest of 9 children born to Samuel & Laurice Hernandez. While growing up, his family moved quite often and he attended different schools throughout Nebraska and Iowa starting at St. Agnes Mission School in Omaha, NE and ending as a proud graduate from the class of ’75 at Hoover High School in Des Moines, IA. He told many crazy stories about those high school years. Right after graduation Tony joined the United State Marine Corps. and while home on leave for Christmas he contracted pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital. It was at that time his heart disease was discovered. And although Tony had planned on making a career out of the military, on January 30, 1976 he received an Honorable Discharge from the USMC with a Rifle Expert Badge. At the time of his diagnosis Tony was told he wouldn’t live past his 21st birthday. He continued to defy all the medical odds placed on him up to his last heart beat. By June of 1980, Tony’s parents had moved to Nora Springs, Iowa and that is where he became the proud father of his daughter, Jill Byrne and met his wife & soul mate, Melissa Heitmann. A year later on June 20, 1981 they were married in Floyd, IA and for the next 33 ½ years, they were by each others side. Tony had various jobs throughout his life that changed as his health dictated. He started at a very young age in the food service industry working with his parents at their places of employment. While living in Nora Springs he worked for Percy Excavating and Seven Nations Restaurant in Mason City. In 1983 Tony was employed by his in laws, Gary & Julie Young, at the Coast to Coast store in Frederic, WI where he and his wife put down their roots. He also worked as a bartender at the Skol Bar, West Sweden Skol Haus and for a brief period at the St. Croix Casino in Turtle Lake, WI. Tony enjoyed getting together with friends & family to play games of all kinds, fishing, taking care of his lawn & garden, shooting pool both in league and in tournaments with his wife, playing softball and volleyball. Tony was a loyal Viking fan who enjoyed the rivalry of all the Packer fans he was surrounded by. Tony had a love of music and experienced many rock concerts during his life. He received great pride and joy from watching his daughter play sports in high school and college. But he will probably be best remembered for his love of cooking which was evidenced by all who had the pleasure of tasting it. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Melissa Hernandez, daughter Jill Byrne, MN; and 8 siblings: Cheryl (Michael) Floyd, MO; Sandra Godwin, AZ; Michael (Sandy) Hernandez, AZ; John Hernandez, AZ; Pamela (Tom) Wilson, NE; Rodney Hernandez, AZ; Samuel Hernandez, AZ; Todd Hernandez, AZ; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A Celebration of Life & bonfire will be held on his birthday March 29th, 2015 at 4pm -? at the Hernandez residence.