Glens Falls – Charles J. Hernandez Sr., of Glens Falls, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Glens Falls Hospital, with his wife of 67 years, Margie, by his side and surrounded by the family that he loved more than anything.
Charles was the son of the late Carmelo and Rose (Torres) Hernandez, born on February 26, 1929.
He and Margie (Diaz) were both from Manhattan. In 1946, they married and soon after they moved upstate to raise their family.
Charles retired from Great Meadow Correctional Facility after twenty years as a roofer and tinsmith. Prior to that he had worked at DeLong’s Dairy, formerly in Glens Falls. He was also a well known master roofer, repairing and replacing many slate and shingle roofs in the Glens Falls area. He learned his craft from his mentor, Frances “Uncle Hap” Prunier. Charles in turn, passed his knowledge and incredible work ethic on to his children, children in law and his grandchildren He also shared his love of the North Country and hunting and fishing. He and Margie enjoyed camping in the Adirondacks for many years.
He and Margie loved music, especially country and western, Latin music and guitar music. They were great dancers and more than kept up with the younger generation on the dance floor, well into their seventies.
Charles was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Glens Falls. He served as the custodian there for several years after his retirement. An inveterate tinkerer, he could fix anything as long as he had duct tape and a tube of silicone.
Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by two sisters; Mary Hernandez and Helen Lorello, and a brother Frank Hernandez.
Survivors include his wife Margie; his children, Margo (Roger) Guglielmo, Joyce (James) Flower, Charlene (Gary) Endal , Charles “Sonny” (Beth) Hernandez, Jr. , Frank (Amneris) Hernandez, Mary (James) O’Marra, Elizabeth Hernandez (Ken Thompson), Linda Leah (JayLee) Thompson; Joseph (Vicky) Hernandez; a close nephew, Frank “Poncho” Coleman; a sister, Anita (Frank) Coleman a brother, Ralph (Philomena)Hernandez.
More than anything else, Charles treasured and doted on children and was enormously proud of His family. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. His family is located around New England to Florida to California to Alberta Canada and uncountable points in between. Each of us received his love and pride equally and he left a wonderful legacy for us all.
Friends may call on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St. in Hudson Falls.
Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 543 Glen Street in Glens Falls.
Interment will take place at St. Alphonsus Cemetery in the town of Queensbury.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the ICU Unit and tower 5, at the Glens Falls Hospital for all their care and compassion.
Charles family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902, New York, NY 10018