Leos Hernandez

Leos Hernandez, age 62, of East Rutherford passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday July, 19, 2020.

Leos was born in Manhattan, NY and was one of three children to Luis and Fermina Hernandez.  Leos spent his formative years growing up in the Bronx and when he was about nine years old, his family moved to Passaic, NJ.  The family was only there a couple of years when they moved again to the city of Paterson.  While living in Paterson, Leos attended John F. Kennedy High School.

As a young boy, Leos was tremendously mechanically inclined.  He was often found taking various things apart in his home to find out just how they worked, including his mother’s radio.  This mechanical inquisitiveness would shape his education and his career for the remainder of his life.  Shortly after high school, Leos found work quickly.  He was employed at a company in East Hanover where they rebuilt generators and train engines.  He performed so well at his position, and his company being thoroughly impressed, enrolled him in courses which taught advanced mechanics.  Leos worked there for about eight years.  During his time at this position, Leos was invited to Niagara Falls where he assisted in rebuilding the famous Hydroelectric Generators.

Leos was then offered a position at a company known as Lanxess Solutions U.S. in East Hanover where he continued his career employed as a mechanic maintaining, fixing, and rebuilding machinery.  Leos held this position until his passing.  Being mechanically inclined at such a young age, it was no surprise that one of Leos’ favorite past times was fixing up and restoring automobiles.  At a young age he could rebuild car engines and transmissions.  Through the years, Leos owned, rebuilt, and restored many different vehicles including a Pontiac GTO, Ford Mustang Cobra, ’63 Chevy Impala, and a ’84 Iroc Z to name just a few.  Leos enjoyed frequenting car shows at the Javits Center in New York, as well as attending and participating in car shows with his own vehicles in Middletown, NY and in Pennsylvania.

Leos was a quiet person, observant one might say, and extremely private.  He was also very spiritual.  Leos was also an avid dancer, particularly of Salsa and as of recent, has been rather passionate about politics.  However, Leos’ pride and joy and greatest passion was given to him in 2006 when his son Gianluccas was born.  Nothing in the world meant more to Leos than providing for, and spending time with his son.  He was a truly devoted father.  Leos was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Leos is survived by his son Gianluccas Hernandez of East Rutherford, one sister Nancy Porta and her husband John of Wayne, one brother Samuel Hernandez and his wife Isabel of Kissimmee, FL, Two children, Luis and Kristina Hernendez Rodriguez,  five nieces; Samantha Hernandez, Megan Hernandez, Alexis Hernandez, and Jacqueline Carter, one nephew Phillip Muniz, and two grandnieces; Kaylin, and Scarlet.  He is also survived by Gainluccas’ sister Ashley Jarllene Tosado.