Manuel C. Fernandez

Manuel “Mike” Fernandez, MD,84, died on December 24, 2013 in Gainesville, FL. He was the son to the late Mario C. and Theresa (Sanchez) Fernandez. Manuel was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

He came to the United States Mainland at the age of 14 alone and entered  Amherst University. He graduated from Jefferson  Medical  School at the age of 21. Manuel did his internship and residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. If not for the intervention of Senator George Smathers he would not have finished his residency, due to being drafted. Upon completion of his residency he went into the Army. He served in the Army Medical Corp. attaining the rank of captain. He was on active duty from June of 1955 to September of 1957, after which he was in the reserves from 1957 to 1964, released with an honorable discharge. Manuel practiced OB/GYN for 35 years in Miami and Dunnellon, where he delivered approximately 34,000 babies. After retiring from his medical practice, he was a real estate broker associate at Dunnellon Real Estate for 20 years.

He is survived by his loving wife,  Linda Dugan Fernandez; his children, Richard M. Fernandez (Anne McGee), Miami, FL, Cynthia T. Fernandez and Michael C. Fernandez; his stepchildren, Keith Tietjen (Kim), Dunnellon,FL and  Jimmy Dugan (Debbe), Dunnellon,FL; his grandchildren, Christopher, Kelly, Kathryn, Ryan, Sean, James, Krystalyn, Brandie, Kalie and many other honored children called him Poppy.

Funeral Services for Manuel  will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with Father kevin MacGabhann officiating. His family will receive friends at the Funeral Home from 11:00 AM until service time.