Obituary of Nelson Hernandez

Nelson "Eco" Hernandez, 78, of Vineland, NJ, passed away on March 26, 2025, in his home. A funeral service will be held at 2755 S Lincoln Ave, Vineland, NJ 08361 on April 1, 2025, at 3:30 PM. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Nelson was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, to Luis Hernandez and Aida Avila on August 24, 1946. He grew up in New York City and lived through some of the most defining moments in modern American history, including the post-WWII era, the Civil Rights Movement, the moon landing, and the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King Jr. He even had the opportunity to meet some of these historical figures, and he loved sharing stories of his experiences with his children. He enjoyed the simple things in life—whether traveling with family, visiting distant relatives, or making the occasional trip to Atlantic City. He had a passion for poker and horse betting, and his warm, outgoing personality made him a beloved figure in his neighborhood. Nelson was sweet, funny, and always willing to lend a helping hand. Nelson is survived by his six children: Yvonne Rosa, Judy Hernandez Rodriguez, Hassan Eco Richardson, Ali Nelson Hernandez, Yaseen Ibn-Nelson Hernandez, and Shajhid Rajhim Hernandez; his brothers Richard Hernandez and Peter Hernandez; his ex-wife and dear friend, Maria Teresa Hernandez Sanchez; and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, Luis Hernandez, his mother, Aida Avila, his brothers Orlando and Pachuco, and his stepmother, Freddila Vargas. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home for their assistance, as well as to all those who have shown love and support during this time. Your prayers and kindness are truly felt and appreciated. For those who would like to contribute to funeral expenses or support the family during this difficult time, a PayPal donation pool has been set up at https://www.paypal.com/pool/9dBNzvj6Yk?sr=wccr Any support is deeply appreciated.