Manuel L. Hernandez

Manuel L Hernandez died September 28 in Harbor City of natural causes. The long-time Carson resident was born in Wilmington (EastSide) and raised by his grandmother along with his 6 siblings on Rubidoux Street, across from Holy Family Church. His sturdy build (alternatively known as "Tubby" to friends and family) helped make him a multi-sport athlete; he lettered in baseball and basketball at Banning High School. During World War II he earned two campaign stars with U.S. Navy Argus Units. An inveterate tinkerer, do-it-yourselfer, and home-crafter, his physical and mechanical ability made him an ideal fit for that highly specialized group of radar and communications personnel that during assault phases of the famous "island hopping" in the Pacific. Following the war, he had a 40 year career with the U.S. Naval Shipyard, Long Beach; he worked on the celebrated refits of the battleships USS Missouri and New Jersey. Building on a long-distance courtship during the war, Manuel married his high school love and returned to Wilmington to start his family. Manuel embodied the "Greatest Generation" in loving his work and his family; he enjoyed family road trips, his seniors clubs after retirement, and endless DIY projects. His garage workshop was a testament to an active and inquisitive life, with its trove of long-obsolete hand tools, half-finished repair jobs, and small carvings from reclaimed ship deck planks and steel. He nurtured a love of sports playing amateur baseball (he always said Branch Rickey scouted a few games in the late 1950s) and coaching little leaguers at the old "Wil-Hall" and, in his 80s, at Carriage Crest Park. At the close of a full life, as health and memory faded, Manuel was happiest sharing life stories full of his contagious warmth and joy with family, friends, and care-givers.

Maria Hernandez (nee Aguirre), his wife for 68 years, preceded him in 2015. He is survived by daughters Margo Ortega and Patricia Bernal, grandchildren Rachel Grove (Russ), Gilbert Ortega, Jr (Naomi), Richard Pacheco, Jr, and Lillian Lopez-Valdez, great-grandchildren Richard Perez, Anthony and Christian Ortega, Daniel Lopez, Kristina and Jazmine Valdez, and three great-great-grandchildren.


Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have pity on the soul of Manuel L. Hernandez - Died September 28, 2016

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

"We have loved him during life, let us not abandon him, until we have conducted him by our prayers into the house of the Lord".
-St. Ambrose.

Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on him.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275