Jose Maria Fernandez Martinez

Jose Maria Fernandez Martínez, 87, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025. He was born in Santiago de Cuba on May 11, 1938 to Rubén Fernández and Zenaida Martínez, and was the second oldest of four sons. He is survived by his younger brother Arturo and was predeceased by his brother Eduardo and Rubén "Chichi".

On November 17, 1962, Jose married his beautiful wife, Paulina Magaly Fernandez Berovides. They shared 63 years of devoted partnership in family life and business.

Jose studied accounting at the School of Commerce in Santiago de Cuba. When he applied to immigrate to the United States, he was no longer allowed to continue his profession, and with the help of his wife's cousin Jorge, he learned watch repair. As part of the emigration requirements, he worked in a sugarcane labor camp in Havana before the family was permitted to leave.

After arriving at the Freedom Tower in Miami, the family was relocated to New Orleans and later settled in New Jersey, where José and Paulina opened their first jewelry store, Maruchi Jewelry, named after his dear daughter, Josefina "Maruchi" Feather Fernandez. After moving to Georgia, they eventually made their home in Hallandale, Florida, where they became one of the area's first Cuban families and opened Diplomat Jewelry, which remained in operation for 41 years.

Jose was known for his hard work, honesty, generosity, and devotion. He loved giving to strangers, fishing, playing the lottery, storytelling, drinking his daily espresso, eating ice cream, and walking out to the ocean in the evenings, allowing the warm and salty breeze glide over him. On occasion, he would enjoy sharing a Cuban cigar with his beloved son, Jose.

He is survived by his wife, Paulina Magaly, his children, Jose Ramon Fernandez and Josefina "Maruchi" Feather Fernandez; and his grandchildren-Olivia, Shawn, Sofia, Samantha, Natalia, Julia, Alejandro Jose, Jonathan, Jose Michael, Emma, and Liam, as well as his great grandchildren: Harper, Oliver, Blayton, Kelam and Adeline. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and celebrated for the amazing man he was.

Visitation will be held from 5:00PM – 8:00PM, Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Island Cremations and Funeral Home 405 S. Courtenay Pkwy Merritt Island, FL 32952.