Richard Manuel Fernandez

Richard Manuel Fernandez, a local resident for more than 20 years, formerly of Somers, NY, passed away peacefully at home in Highland, NY on Thursday, August 20, 2026. He was 84.

Son of the late Manuel and Ascension "Sunny" (Rodriguez) Fernandez, he was born in Pittsfield, MA on April 23, 1942. Rich graduated from White Plains High School in 1960 and later earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Pace University.

In 1963, he enlisted in the US Army Reserves. In 1968 his unit was called to active duty in Vietnam, where he served from 1968 to 1969, when he was honorably discharged.

For more than 20 years, Rich worked as an accountant for Loral Electronics Corporation in Yonkers, NY. He retired as Comptroller in 1998.

He was an avid sports fan whose favorite teams included the New York Knicks and New York Giants. He loved watching movies and tv, especially sports contests. Rich also played golf and enjoyed skiing in his younger years. He loved time with his family and his stepfamily most of all.

He is survived by his longtime partner, Rose Terwilliger, at home in Highland; his daughter, Lisa Fernandez Caico & her partner Ernst Leschke of Forest Hill, MD; his son, Richard Mark Fernandez of Lake Tahoe, CA; his stepdaughters, Michelle Hathaway & her husband Martin of Gardiner, NY and Dana O'Neill of New Paltz, NY; his grandchildren: Alessandra Caico, Stephen Caico, Isabella Caico, 1st Lt. Evan Hathaway, Alden Hathaway, Terry Terwilliger, and Alexandra O'Neill; his brothers: Robert Fernandez & his wife Jane, and Raymond Fernandez & his wife Elizabeth; his former wife and dear friend, Gloria McSweeney; as well as many nieces, nephews, and countless other loving family members.

Calling hours will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, August 24 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 25 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill, NY. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 575 Hillside Avenue, White Plains, NY.

Special thanks are extended to his professional and compassionate caregivers Milissa Burriss, Joanie Rowe, Donna Flowers, Sean Halpin, Brittany Bulson, Gale Haughton, and Leyne Boyle who tended to Rich's every need, round the clock, in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 (www.kidney.org).

For online tributes, visit Rich's memorial page at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.