Obituary of Fernando Alberto Ibanez

Fernando Alberto Ibanez passed away June 25, 2013 at his home in Soquel with his loving family by his side. He was 59. He was born February 6, 1954 in San Mateo, the son of Gregorio and Margaret Ibanez. He grew up in Pescadero and later Redwood City. He attended Pescadero Elementary, Hoover Middle School and Sequoia High School. He attended Adult Education Classes to earn his GED. He began working as a machinist in Redwood City and moved to Santa Cruz in 1976 following his marriage to Rosemary Agront. He worked for Watkins-Johnson, Saltz Tannery before starting his truck driving career with Mattheson-USPS. He hauled produce and various kinds of freight but he most enjoyed working for Shell Oil Company hauling gasoline. He was a graduate of MTA Truck Driving School in 1991. Fernando was a loving and caring, husband, father and grandfather who wanted to always be sure his family was well cared for. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, Rosemary, talking, cooking, watching sports or the Lucy Show together. He also enjoyed taking spontaneous drives with Rosemary up the coast to Pescadero, his home town to have lunch, take in the sights, enjoy nature and just be together with his wife. His family was his highest priority, whether teaching his son to play the drums or just joking around with Fernando Jr. and Tina. He would often say that Tina's laugh was infectious. He enjoyed attending family functions and BBQ's. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed most his time spent with them. Working nights, he took care of his first two grandchildren, Katarina and Eliana during the days. He enjoyed spending time outdoors with them, swimming, playing games but mostly just laughing and having fun. He also enjoyed gardening, cooking and working on cars. He loved jazz music and played the drums as a teenager and was an avid San Francisco Giants and 49'er fan. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Rosemary Ibanez; his son, Fernando Ibanez, Jr.; daughter, Tina M. Ibanez; three sisters, Cristina Escobar, Gracie Mendoza and Angie Sosa; two brothers, Carlos Ibanez and Robert Ibanez; he is also survived by five grandchildren, thirteen nieces and thirteen nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Ibanez in 1986 and his father, Gregorio Ibanez in 2006. Services will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, CA on Friday July 5, 2013 at 1:00 pm. A reception will follow in the Sierra Room at Pacific Gardens Chapel immediately following the memorial service. Contributions are welcome. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 95066.