Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

March 16, 2010

Kids Creek Neighborhood president dies

He also taught fly-fishing through Trout Unlimited

BY LINDSAY VANHULLE

TRAVERSE CITY -- A local community leader is being remembered as a dedicated neighborhood advocate, mental health professional and outdoor enthusiast.

Bill Fernandez, president of the Kids Creek Neighborhood Association in Traverse City, died unexpectedly Saturday in Chicago while on vacation. He was 63.

Fernandez suffered a heart attack Thursday evening, his sister said, and died Saturday.

As Kids Creek president, Fernandez worked on the steering committee to discuss upgrades to Division Street, which borders the Kids Creek Neighborhood. His death comes as city commissioners move forward on plans to revamp the major north-south thoroughfare, and stunned other neighborhood leaders.

"He really recognized that there was this window of opportunity to really accomplish some of the things that he and the neighborhood had been talking about for many years," said Mark Crane, president of the Old Towne Neighborhood Association, who knew Fernandez for 30 years.

"That's why it's so sad that an eloquent voice like his would be lost just at the time when he'd be able to have a real impact."

Fernandez enjoyed teaching children how to fly fish through the local chapter of Trout Unlimited, where he was a former president.

He had a knack for organization, said Steve Largent, current chapter director, adding that his work helped shape the group into its present form.

"He would get on the phone and you would have a 30-second conversation with Bill, and you would get so much done in that 30 seconds," Largent said. "It was refreshing. You just left smiling."

Fernandez worked as a recipient rights officer on a contractual basis with Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, working to protect the rights of mental health patients, Crane said.

"He was a defender of people's dignity," said Mike Nolan, owner of Nolan's Tobacconists shop in downtown Traverse City, where Fernandez was a familiar and well-liked patron.

Nolan described him as a "friendly, fun-loving guy" with friends "from all walks of life."

"He put his money, his time and his efforts to where his beliefs were," Nolan said. "It's a tough loss for all of us."

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Business Editor Bill O'Brien contributed to this report.

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