At 73 years old, George Fernandez was still working as a security guard in downtown Calgary.
“George’s motivation is his daughter. Giving her the best life she deserved. The life she wants. For years that’s been George’s motivation to work,” Fernandez’s nephew, Gian Mabborang said.
He was a devoted single father to his 15-year-old daughter, Margarette Fernandez.
“It’s hard for her. For years it’s just been the two of them together,” Mabborang said.
Fernandez was working as a security guard at Garden Towers on 7th Avenue and 9th Street S.W. on March 13, when he was shoved to the ground during a robbery.
He died the next day from his injuries.
Forty-five year-old Amanda Robyn Ahenakew has been charged with manslaughter and will appear in court April 16.
“We were shocked and saddened by the events surrounding George’s passing. We are doing whatever we can to assist the Crown in the prosecution of the person involved so that the family can get justice for George, his daughter and their family and friends,” Ryan Shannon, with SureFire Properties Inc. said in a statement.
SureFire Properties runs Garden Towers.
“SureFire is also doing everything in our power to help George’s daughter and nephew as they deal with the grief at the loss of their loved one. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family at this time.”
A GoFundMe in Fernandez’s honour has raised over $16,000.
The funds are going toward funeral and memorial expenses, including the repatriation of his body to the Philippines.
He was a soldier for eight years and wants to be buried in the veteran’s memorial there.
“That was George’s wish, to go home to the Philippines and be buried in the same field as his dad,” Mabborang said.
Mabborang is filing paperwork to become Margarette’s guardian.
“I’ve got big shoes to fill,” he said.
