Funeral procession honors Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez

Family, fans, friends, teammates say goodbye to fallen star

MIAMI ā€“ Family, friends, teammates and fans of Miami Marlins pitcher JoseĀ Fernandez gathered Tuesday afternoon as aĀ public funeral procession was held for the 24-year-old ace.

A hearse carrying Fernandez's body left the funeral home shortly after 1:30 p.m. The hearse received a police escort to Marlins Park, where fans and teammates waited for Fernandez to arrive.

Team owner Jeffrey Loria and manager Don Mattingly embraced Fernandez's mother, presenting her with her son's No. 16 jersey.

Chris Diaz, who knew Fernandez, stopped by Marlins Park early Wednesday to say goodbye to the Marlins ace one last time.

"Me and him bonded every time he used to come, every day, and two years straight, you know, I was close with him," Diaz said.

Diaz used to work at the stadium in the players parking lot. He said Fernandez was one of a handful of the Marlins who really went out of his way to be nice to him.

He said the 24-year-old pitcher even gave him a ride home once.

"He saw me and he's like, 'You need a ride?' And I said, 'Yeah, why not?' And he basically put me in his car and said, 'OK, I'll take you home,'" Diaz said.

Other fans also came out before the procession to visit the makeshift memorial created outside the ballpark.

"I think it's going to bring people together," Joseph Guerra said. "It might bring closure to some. Hopefully, you know, the family can heal and begin the healing process."

The procession left Marlins Park for ErmitaĀ de laĀ Caridad, where a blessing by Father Juan Rumin Dominguez was performed.

Local 10 News reporter Ben Kennedy spoke to Dominguez after the ceremony.

"This is a very sad situation for all of us. We are praying with faith and hope for his soul, for his family," Rumin Dominguez said.Ā 

City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalato said having the prayer for the departed ceremony at the church was a request from Fernandez's mother.

"The family wanted the last goodbye to be said from here," Regalado said. "So, it is the place to welcome the people that come seeking freedom, but it is also the place to say goodbye."

A stop was also made at La Carretta, where the restaurant was presented with a Cuban flag and an American flag. Fans and employees raised cups of cafecito in honor of Fernandez.

After the blessing, the procession headed to St. Brendan Catholic ChurchĀ in Miami, where a public viewing was held.

A funeral for Fernandez will be held Thursday but is not open to the public.

In lieu of flowers, the Fernandez family requests charitable contributions be made to theĀ JDF16Ā Foundation at the Miami Foundation.

Fans can donate by sending checks to the Miami Foundation or click hereĀ to donate online.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.