Pedro Tomas Hernandez

Pedro T. Hernandez, age 72, passed away peacefully with his loving wife at his bedside, in their East Chicago, Indiana home, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. 

With humble beginnings, he was one of twelve children born to Ana Maria and Antonio Hernandez in Ponce, Puerto Rico. In 1966, he moved to Chicago, Illinois with one of his sisters in an effort to assist his remaining family members to emigrate. In 1970, he met Josefa at their mutual workplace. In 1972, after a year courtship, Pedro and Josefa married. By 1973, they had their first son, Pedro Antonio and in 1977, their second son Raymond. By 2004, Pedro and Josefa moved to East Chicago, Indiana, where he lived the final 21 years of his life.

Pedro felt that his greatest love and accomplishment was his growing family. He often spoke of his past and told tall tales to entertain his family and friends. He was incredibly gracious and selfless, often lending a helping hand to those he knew, offering the shirt off of his back to help another. He was a wonderful neighbor and a fierce friend and a phenomenal patriarch.

Pedro is survived by his wife (Josefa), his sons (Pedro Antonio and Raymond), his daughters-in-law (Alexandra and Misty), three granddaughters (Reyna, Anastasia, and Nevaeh), three grandsons (Raymond Jr., Gabriel, and Antonio), two great grandsons (Ezekiel and Nico), two great granddaughters (Violet and Hazel), six siblings (Maria Antonia, Natividad, Ana Gloria, Antonio, Luis, and Miguel). He is preceded in death by his parents (Antonio and Ana Maria), and four siblings (Abraham, Jose, Carmen and Iris).

Please join the family in honoring and laying this beautiful soul to rest.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 12, 2025 at 10:30 am at the FIFE FUNERAL HOME, 4201 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, IN with Rev. Julio Bedoya officiating.  Burial to follow at St. John Cemetery, Hammond, IN.  Visitation at the FIFE FUNERAL HOME will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, September 11, 2025 and from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Friday morning.

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