FERNANDO COLON

     Fernando Colon, age 74 years, of Browns Mills, NJ, punched his final timecard and took his well-earned celestial retirement on the 5th of March, 2025. Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, in a time when cars were made of steel and people still wrote letters, Fernando lived a life full of hard work, family, and an ever-expanding collection of tools he may or may not have known how to use.

     A proud Marine, Fernando served honorably in the USMC, and while his military career was commendable, his post-service adventures were equally impressive. He tackled life as an auto mechanic, a USPS worker, and a truck driver—all careers that ensured he always had a good story to tell and a few grease stains to prove it. Through it all, he worked tirelessly to provide for his family, ensuring his children had everything they needed (and sometimes things they didn’t but got anyway because he loved them). Never one to sit still, Fernando was the ultimate handyman—a man of many projects and varying success rates. His children and grandchildren knew they could always count on him to show up with tools in hand, ready to fix, build, or completely dismantle whatever needed attention. Whether or not it worked afterward? Well, that was a gamble, but it was always done with love. Fernando was a man who could fix a car, drive a truck, deliver the mail, and jury-rig a solution to just about anything. His legacy isn’t just in the things he built (and sometimes broke) but in the love, laughter, and unforgettable memories he leaves behind.

     He leaves behind a family that adored him: his children, Danny (wife Rosemary), Greg (wife Michele), Kenny (late wife Sarita), Jennifer, and Lawrence (wife Marzette); his ex-wife and mother of his children, Maria; his beloved grandchildren, Arianna, Cristiano, Evan, Giavanna, Jadyn, Skye, and Yasmin; and his cherished great-granddaughter, Harper.

     He is also survived by his siblings, Marva, Ada Maria, and Andrew; his stepmother, Deseada; and countless nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Augustina, and his grandson, Joshua..  

     In true Fernando fashion, there will be no elaborate fuss—just a gathering of family and friends to share stories, laughs, and probably argue about how he would have wanted things done. In lieu of flowers, consider fixing something around the house in his honor—just don’t forget to double-check your work.

     Nandito, we will miss your signature blend of wisdom, humor, and occasional stubbornness, and your family will carry on your legacy—though hopefully with a few extra instruction manuals. We love you, and we’ll miss you forever.

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