Paul Fernandez, 57, of Chicago, Illinois and most recent resident of Auburn Washington, sadly left us on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from a long battle with diabetes. Paul was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was a graduate of Hubbard High School in 1986. He loved playing his trumpet and introduced his sisters to Chuck Mangione and Herb Albert. He loved a variety of music from Dusties, House, Freestyle Classic Rock and Jazz. Paul was a wonderful cousin to many. He loved Fernandez family barbeques, gatherings at the beaches along the lakefront, and reminiscing about running around with his cousins with a cold one in his hand. He loved his city, but needed to find better pastures.

He met the love of his life Valerie in 2009 and married in 2015. He found another family that embraced him with acceptance and love from his In-Laws, and their children. Valerie and Paul returned to Auburn Washington to settle next to the mountains. He was an avid lover of nature and would tell Valerie this was heaven. Paul lived a rough life in the city, but always kept in contact with his relatives when he could.

Paul is survived by his wife Valerie Baluyut Fernandez. Although Paul and Valerie did not get a chance to have their own children as planned, Paul was a fun-loving Uncle and Great Uncle to many nieces and nephews here and abroad. Paul is also survived by his sisters: Candy (John) O'Leary, uncle to Michael, Ellen (Steve), Alex (the late) Shannon, Lauren, Johnny, Danielle, Aaliyah, Aidan, Ian and Tristan O'Leary; Josephine Fernandez (Jeff) uncle to Cheyenne and Doreen (Nini) Rivera; and Angela. He was a dear brother-in-law to Rene Rivera for many years.

Paul is preceded in death and son of the late John and Doreen Fernandez. He has gone home to be with more family he loved so very much.