Fernando Sazon Mina

Fernando Sazon Mina was born on November 1, 1940 in Culis, Hermosa, Bataan, Philippines; the fourth youngest of nine children born to Pedro and Elisea Mina. He met the love of his life Marlinda Antonio, and they were married on March 6, 1971 in the Philippines. Together they had 3 children, 2 girls and a boy; Eihleen Joy, Darlene Grace, and Ronald Joseph. The family moved in 1983 to Carson, California where they resided with Marlene’s parents for one year. The family made their home in Sunland, California in 1984. Fernando worked for JPL/NASA in Pasadena, while Marlinda went to work for Barry Controls in Burbank. As a couple, they felt strongly about education and proudly watched their children graduate from the University of Southern California (Eihleen), the University of Hawaii at Manoa (Darlene), and Sound Masters School (Ronald).In 2004, after both had retired from their respective careers 20 years later, they moved to Menifee, California, where they were able to take advantage of life at a slower pace with gardening, personal projects, and enjoying each other’s company. After a battle with cancer, Marlinda passed away on June 5, 2013. Fernando spent the next few years working through his grief by visiting with family and friends and working on projects. In 2016, he was introduced to another smart and caring woman living in the Philippines, Marietta Quiambao. Following a quick courtship occurring mostly by frequent episodes of Facetime or long distance calls, but also including a trip to the Philippines to spend proper time together, the two decided to marry. Fernando wed Marietta on July 23, 2017. The couple spent most of their time visiting with family and showing Marietta new sights.  Fernando passed away on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 after a brief stay in the hospital while being treated for complications of heart disease.

Fernando was an intelligent social man with an engineer’s mind but a craftsman’s hands. He enjoyed his beer, parties, and a good joke. He was a generous man who shared his gifts by repairing just about anything, offering his expertise on projects, and presenting hand-made masterpieces to family members. Family was extremely important to him, and he cared deeply for each member, but it was the grandchildren that really lit up his smile. He was a model husband and father, a calming influence on all, and the one person that countless family and friends looked to for guidance.

Fernando was preceded in death by his father and mother, his eldest sister Norma, older brother Ramon, and his wife of 42 years Marlinda. He is survived by his second wife Marietta; daughters Eihleen Joy Dollar and Darlene Grace Briggs; son Ronald Joseph; brothers Ruben and Orlan; sisters Corazon, Gloria, Aurora, and Sonia; and his eight grandchildren.

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