Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, August 13, 2006 at 05:41:58 :
Point Reyes Light
November 7, 2002
Woodacre anti-war protester and friend die
By Larken Bradley
Woodacre resident, Antonio "Tony" G. Hernandez died last Wednesday as a result of massive head injuries suffered Saturday, Oct. 26, while traveling to a San Francisco peace rally.
Mr. Hernandez and another peace activist, Diana Cushing Canning, 50, of Sebastopol, who died Sunday, Nov. 3, hit their heads on a concrete overhang when they stood through the skylight of a converted bus as it passed through the Broadway Tunnel. Mr. Hernandez was 43.
A new resident of the San Geronimo Valley, three months ago Mr. Hernandez moved from Petaluma to Woodacre, where he was a volunteer and active member at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
Well loved
"He was well loved here," said Karen Gutowski of Spirit Rock. "He just had a wonderful spirit."
Mr. Hernandez centered his life around spiritual practice and environmental issues. "He was passionate about solar and wind energy and wanted to help his fellow Native Americans to become sufficient in this regard," friend Mary Criquet of Santa Rosa, told The Light on Wednesday.
His joie de vivre, friendly smile, and caring nature made him a "memorable person," even to those who met him just once, said Forest Knolls resident Anita Trafficante, a friend for more than 20 years.
"Tony was a good example for me to have the right perspective on life," added Bruce Roush, Mr. Hernandez’s co-worker at Solar Depot in San Rafael.
Born in Woodland, Yolo County, on July 24, 1959, Mr. Hernandez graduated from Woodland High School where he was a championship wrestler. In the early 1990s he made his way to the Bay Area, and later earned a bachelor’s degree in international business from Sonoma State University.
Former teacher
A native Cherokee on his mother’s side of the family, and indigenous Mexican on his father’s side, Mr. Hernandez’s spiritual beliefs were derived from the earth religions, Christianity and Buddhism. He was a former teacher at the Berkeley Psychic Institute in Sacramento.
At the time of his death he worked as a sales engineer for Solar Depot, a business harmonious with his environmental concerns.
"He stood for peace," said Criquet.
On the day of his death, added Trafficante, "He was on his way to do something he was passionate about."
Mr. Hernandez is survived by his father and stepmother, Albert M. and Maria Hernandez; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mario and Rosita Gonzales; Jess and Rose Hernandez; and brother, Refugio Hernandez and his partner, Debi Eagle, all of Woodland; sisters, Gloria Lopez of Vacaville; and Juanita Garcia of Woodland; sister-in-law, Fedelia Gonzales of Sacramento; and his godparents, Antonio and Esperanza Navarrete.
He was predeceased by his mother, Connie Hernandez; and his brothers, Paul M. Gonzales; Max Gonzales; and Albert Gonzales.
Spirit Rock service
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Spirit Rock Meditation Center; followed by another service to be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Santa Rosa Church of Religious Science, 2075 Occidental Rd., Santa Rosa.
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