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Abel as Airman Featherstone in Steve Canyon.
I'm still in shock, I didn't expect him to leave us so soon. Going to keep this brief for now:
Abel Gonzalez Fernandez passed away early Tuesday evening, May 3, 2016 at Presbyterian Hospital in Whittier, California, from advanced lung cancer. He had been having trouble breathing earlier that day, and was moved from SoCal Post Acute Care to nearby Presbyterian Hospital mid-afternoon. I last spoke to him this past weekend and he was in good spirits. As usual, he said "hasta luego" and (as usual) I replied "hasta la vista.....baby!" and he laughed while hanging up the phone. He was a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division at the end of WWII, a pro boxer and actor and stuntman...and my good friend for the last 7 years, and I miss him already. Here's a clip from an extensive interview Laura Barltrop and I recorded with him on Monday, September 13, 2010, in Pasadena, California, where Abel talks about his heroes when he was growing up: If you want to read more about Abel, here is his wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abel_Fernandez and his Imdb link: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0273359/ There will be a service the evening of Monday, May 16th from 5pm to 9pm at the Guerra-Gutierrez Mortuary, 6338 Greenleaf Avenue, Whittier California, 90601. Please drop me a line at stevecanyontv@gmail.com if you would like to attend. Godspeed, Abel, and thanks for everything. John Ellis Hollywood, CA P.S. Note that I am STILL mailing V3 + slipcases out to the remaining (mostly foreign) pre-orderers (as we are broke and fighting a battle to stay afloat) ... slowly but surely am shipping them...please remain patient...thank you. |
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Friday, May 06, 2016
Abel Fernandez - July 14, 1930 - May 3, 2016
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3 comments:
God bless you Abel. You'll always be with us through your film and television work and especially Steve Canyon.
I've been trying to get in touch with John Ellis for the past few days as I found out Abel Fernandez had passed away and saw nothing posted at first. I'm glad you were finally able to verify his passing as I too was shocked. Also how he had lung cancer! He didn't smoke that was the thing about the other Untouchables all of them did. I live in Kissimmee, Florida and will not be able to attend the service or funeral. We used to write to each other as I am a bus driver for tourists who visit Walt Disney World. I am also 60 miles from Kennedy Space Center. I too will miss Abel.
Hi, John---I just read your posting of Abel Fernandez' passing. Hard as it had to be, everyone who appreciated his work is grateful to you for the update. He was one of those 'real people' who helped make STEVE CANYON (and everything else he performed in) seem more grounded in reality. Thanks again---Theo
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