Joseph Adman Fernandez

Joseph (Joe) Adman Fernandez of Niagara Falls, New York, and Sarasota, Florida died December 6, 2023, at the age of 95. The devoted husband of Sally Anne Fernandez of Bath, Maine, to whom he was married for 36 years. Mr. Fernandez, originally from Niagara Falls, New York was one of twelve children of Aurelio and Eloina Fernandez, who emigrated from Asturias, Spain in 1916. As a graduate of Champlain College and Cornell University, his illustrious career encompassed restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, organization planning and development, employee and labor relations, policy development, employment law, and communications for major corporations, including Olin Corporation, Chase Manhattan Bank and Citicorp. These positions took him to 85 countries around the world, including living in Madrid and Hong Kong. After retiring from Citicorp in 1993 he established his own consulting business which allowed him to utilize his vast array of skills in a multitude of industries. Throughout his career, he worked with and consulted for many CEO's and leaders of industry. His mentor, Walter Wriston, the late CEO of Citicorp, would often refer to him as a "Crisis Junkie", for his problem-solving abilities in difficult situations worldwide. He was considered an authority in employee and labor relations, and organizational effectiveness. He succeeded in permanently altering the balance of power and the fundamental relationship between management and unions in several countries. His outside affiliations include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (National Human Resources Committee), National Foreign Trade Council, American Bankers Association Executive Committee, N.Y. Chamber of Commerce and Industry, International Organization of Employers, Industrial Relations Research Association, Cornell Associates, World Trade Club, and the Commonwealth Club. Mr. Fernandez was a frequent speaker at many conferences and seminars and a visiting lecturer at numerous universities. Mr. Fernandez's avocation as a long-time adventurer also took him around the world. As an avid high-altitude trekker he climbed many times in Africa, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and Mongolia, including scaling Kilimanjaro in 1971. His travels also took him throughout the continent of Africa on many private safaris. He teamed up on several archeological excavations in Tunisia, Majorca, and Peru and a scientific expedition in Antarctica. In his later years, he traveled between his homes in Florence, Italy, and Sarasota, Florida. He was also a serious art collector, purchasing more than 400 paintings, statues, and textiles, each in its own country of origin, many of which are of museum quality. Other interests included gourmet cooking, most notably his original pizza recipes and his extensive knowledge of wines. His green thumb in the garden provided an abundance of tomatoes and herbs. He was an ardent reader and a crossword aficionado. Never fully retiring, he functioned as the editor and business manager for his wife and award-winning novelist, Sally. With all of his accomplishments and experiences, Joe still referred to himself as "just a kid from 12th Street".

Joe's humility and sincere love for his wife, family, and friends were the essence of who he was. He will be sadly missed by all those who have been blessed to be part of his life. Mr. Fernandez is survived by his brothers, Ramon and Aurelius, and his sister Jacqueline Dryden, along with a multitude of nieces and nephews. A private Celebration of Life Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mayo Clinic Foundation in Jacksonville, Florida. Corporate Headquarters for Contact Information is 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55905.