Dr. Antonio Fernandez

Dr. Antonio Fernandez, 90, of Macon, Georgia, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, June 1, 2024, in the Chapel of Hart’s Mortuary at the Cupola. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Georgia Professional Health Program www.gaphp.org 4780 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Suite 540 #393, Atlanta, GA 30338-5504, or, Stratford Academy www.stratford.org 6010 Peake Road, Macon, GA 31220, in honor of Dr. Antonio Fernandez.

Dr. Antonio Fernandez was born on March 3, 1934, in Barre, Vermont, to the late Angel and Margaret Fernandez. He was a proud United States Army Veteran, where he received various medals and honors notably the “Bronze Star” in 1969, for his valorous action while serving at the 71st Evacuation Hospital in the Republic of Vietnam. He also received the distinguished "Soldiers Medal" in August of 1969, for the highly delicate task of removing a live 75 Millimeter Recoilless Rifle fuse from the thigh of an American soldier.

Dr. Fernandez received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Georgia in 1957; and in 1961, earned a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He was licensed by the Georgia State Board of Medical Examiners in July of 1961 and certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in January 1968. He was a member of the Bibb County Medical Society throughout his medical career and served on various leadership committees and in various leadership roles at Coliseum Park Hospital to include President of the Medical Staff in 1984. Even though he had been retired from medicine since 1992, he always had fond memories and a deep appreciation for his office staff, Debra, Cheryl, Jane and so many more.

Dr. Fernandez had a passion for Stratford Academy. He joined as a staff physician in 1971 and continued until 1992. He was also on the Stratford Academy Board of Trustees Athletic Chairman for several years. As a member of the Stratford 100 Club, he was responsible for the completion of the gymnasium which took place on March 11, 1982, and he was instrumental in building the first tennis facility on the Peake Road campus. Dr. Antonio Fernandez was inducted into the Stratford Academy Athletic Hall of Fame on September 16, 2011.

In retirement, Dr. Fernandez found a passion for helping those in recovery from addiction and the fellowship found in 12-step recovery and the 12-step community. At the time of his passing, he celebrated 29 years of continuous sobriety and had taken on the role of a mentor for many struggling with addiction. He was an active supporter and champion of the founding and development of Georgia Professional Health Program, Georgia PHP, Inc, a confidential program supported by the Georgia Composite Medical Board that provides services for physicians struggling with addiction and other mental health issues to seek restoration of their health and wellness without involvement of the medical board.

Affectionately known as “Dee” to his grandchildren, Dr. Fernandez took great pride in instilling the importance of education and in hearing about their successes in education and sports, which included numerous high school, college, and professional school graduations, sports championships, and awards. His grandchildren will remember him as a generous and fun-loving man who was an avid Atlanta Braves and UGA Bulldogs fan, whose greatest entertainment later in life came from watching their games.

He is survived by his daughters, Robin F. McCown (Chad) of Dunwoody, Georgia; and Kimberly Fernandez of Macon; his five grandchildren, Lauren Schlottman (Jared Morgan) of Burbank, California; Emily Schlottman of Savannah, Georgia; Charles McCown of Dunwoody, Georgia; Lisa McCown of Dunwoody, Georgia; Elizabeth Cochran of Macon; his sister, Irene Daly of Madison, Connecticut; his brother, David Fernandez of York, Pennsylvania; nieces and nephew, Cathy Daly Walzer of Atlanta, GA, Cecelia Daly Kallanich (Glen) of Madison, CT, Christine Daly Elster (David) of Madison, CT, Arthur Daly (Sara) of Southington, CT, his dear friends, Mark and Rosemary Moring of Macon; his caregivers, Pat Pierson and William Harris. He is preceded in death by his wife, Edna Todd Fernandez; his parents, Angel and Margaret Fernandez; his son-in-law, Robert Pullen Schlottman and his daughter, Lisa Fernandez Schlottman.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express your condolences.

Hart’s Mortuary at the Cupola, 6324 Peake Road, Macon, Georgia 31210, has charge of the arrangements.