Obituary of Fernando Barrera

1933-2013 Fernando Barrera, 79, of Honesdale, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 24, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Marcia Lund Barrera. Born on December 18, 1933, in Bogota, Colombia, Fernando was the son of Reinaldo Barrera and Cecelia Gomez. After his mother died when he was three years old, he was raised by his father and stepmother, Leonor Gomez. Fernando arrived in the United States with his family at the age of 18, in December, 1951. Although he had already completed high school in Colombia, he attended Delaware Academy in Delhi, New York, for another year to learn English. He joined the Army National Guard at that time. He attended one year of college at the State University of New York in Delhi. His family then moved to Jamaica, New York, and Fernando had his first job in international shipping with Neuss-Hesslein Company in Manhattan. He was drafted in 1956 and served in France until 1958. He continued his commitment to the Army National Guard after his return. He then became a proud U.S. citizen. Subsequently he worked in textiles for J.P. Stevens Corp. in New York, before becoming a partner in Gonzalez Associates, a textile broker exporting all varieties of American textiles to manufacturers and retailers in Central and South America. He traveled extensively for business; he and Marcia enjoyed many international trips together as well. He visited a total of 45 countries in his lifetime. He was a volunteer soccer coach and referee for many years. He retired in 1998, and moved to Milanville, PA. He was a member of the Calkins Baptist Church in Milanville. Fernando was the grateful father of four sons and "surrogate parent" to two girls who are first cousins of Marcia. He is known for his friendly smile, his excellent sense of humor, his great interest in people, his positive attitude, and his devotion to the Lord. He was a staunch conservative and patriot. His favorite topics for discussion were always religion, history and politics, and he was well-informed on many of these topics. Character, loyalty and integrity were of great value to him. He is survived by his sons: Anthony, his wife Kayoko, and children Kent, Anna and Seiji, who reside in Japan; Paul, his wife Melissa, and sons, Japhy and Zak, who reside in Manhattan; Edward, his wife Michelle, and son Ari; of South Pasadena, CA; and Frank, his wife, Sarah, and children Leo and Iris, of South Pasadena, CA. He is also survived by Beth Williams Munnelly, her husband Kevin, and sons Conor and Brendan, of Ridgefield, CT; and Sarah Williams Fredette, her husband David, and their son Keith, of Oneonta, NY. He is survived by his brothers Agustin and wife Maureen, Luis Enrique and wife Maria Eugenia, sisters Cecelia and Clara Alicia, sister-in-law Gloria, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Gustavo and sister Maria Teresa. Visitation will be at Bryant Funeral Home, 1228 Main Street, Honesdale, on Friday, November 29th from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00. Funeral services will be at Calkins Baptist Church in Milanville, PA at 11:00 on Saturday, November 30th, followed by a luncheon reception at the Church. Donations can be made to the Calkins Baptist Church Building Fund, 527 Calkins Road, Milanville, PA 18443. For further information, telephone 570-253-5745.