Thomas (Tommy) Fernandez, 52 passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 2nd, 2023, in Zephyrhills, Florida.
Tommy is survived by his three children; Thomas R. Fernandez (Mary), Timothy Ross Fernandez (Amber), and MyKayla Fernandez; his brother Andy Fernandez (Karen), his sister Sandra Fernandez Carter, multiple nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his nephew Captain Robert Fernandez Jr., his brother, Robert (Bobby) Fernandez; his mother Alice Baron and his father Frank (Cookie) Fernandez.
Tommy was born in Tallahassee, Florida on March 18th, 1970, to Frank and Alice. He graduated from Tampa Bay Technical High School where he won numerous awards for his work in automotive mechanics. His love for cars led to his work and success in the Ford Senior Master program. His love for auto mechanics led to a lifelong career in the industry. It also helped with his favorite hobby—boat racing. Tommy loved it when his dad used to race boats and took up that love later in life as a second-generation boat racer. He loved racing and his children would go on the trips and work as his pit crew. His daughter, MyKayla enjoyed being his crew chief and even took on her own responsibilities by working the flags and the time clock. He always bragged that his baby girl knew everything about racing. Tommy was also a member of the APBA region 5. As a member, he made numerous friends throughout the race boating community and his career.
Tommy also loved music; he would listen to multiple classic rock artists with Pink Floyd being his favorite. When he lived with his brother Bobby, they would spend a lot of time listening to different vinyl albums in their apartment. He enjoyed playing the guitar and taught himself guitar when he was younger. He had a voice that only a soundproof room would love. He loved to go to his oldest son’s concerts and support his love for music too. He would attend all of Thomas’s concerts from middle school all the way until he was an adult, including his performances with the Dade City Symphony.
Music and boat racing wasn’t the only thing Tommy did with his kids. When they were younger, he would go camping with them and was a Boy Scout leader for the boys’ troops. He would pack Timmy in the back of his 1987 Taurus, that he fondly called his pickup truck because it had a trailer on the back, along with all the camping stuff and the boys would go out and have a good weekend. He also loved taking the boys fishing and fishing with all the family on the Skyway. He also loved taking the boys and baby girl to the races at East Bay raceway.
Tommy loved to tell stories. He may not have been the greatest storyteller, but he would be able to get people to laugh. He would go over to Andy and Karen’s house for family dinners, and he would have Karen, Andy and even Sandra in stitches. He loved to try and get people to laugh. It didn’t matter if the stories were awkward, he would always find a way to insert his sense of humor into every story that he did.
A private graveside service will be held.
