Pedro Pablo Fuertes, government retiree

Pedro Pablo Fuertes, 82, of Ocean View, formerly of Silver Spring, Md., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at Seasons Hospice within Christiana Care Hospital due to complications from a stroke. He was born in Colombia, South America Oct. 6, 1936, son of the late Justo Fuertes Fonseca and Soledad Sierra de Fuertes.

Mr. Fuertes immigrated to the United States in the early 1970s. He built a career as an accountant, retiring after many years of dedicated public service with the District of Columbia government. Mr. Fuertes was a family man, who enjoyed watching sports and movies, and playing board games with his family. He loved beach vacations and eating ice cream on the boardwalk with his beloved bride of 64 years. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Mr. Fuertes is survived by his cherished wife, Esther Fuertes of Ocean View; his children: Pedro H. Fuertes (Auxi) of Silver Spring, Md., Blanca Nelly Fuertes of Ocean View, Jairo Fuertes (Hnin) of New York City, N.Y., and Nancy F. Ruiz de Gamboa (Jorge) of Potomac, Md.; his grandchildren: Jean Fuertes, Benjamin Ruiz de Gamboa, Amanda Ruiz de Gamboa, Sofia Fuertes, and Isabella Fuertes; his great-granddaughter, Jeni Nance; his siblings: Justo, Miguel, Emilia, and Jose Fuertes; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

A private funeral Mass will be held at the Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, Rockville, Md. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Ocean View.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Mr. Fuertes' memory to Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, 220 Continental Drive, Suite 407, Newark, DE 19713.

Please visit Mr. Fuertes’ Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook atwww.parsellfuneralhomes.com.