I must rack my brain to recall as much as I can about the early years of his life-and to attempt to give you some understanding of how he came to be what he was. Eddie's strengths and weaknesses were in large part shaped by the consequences of the death, in his early childhood, of his mother, Carmen. To understand Eddie better you must know about his father and mother. From hereon I will sometimes refer to Eddie's father as Edward. 

Carmen Castro, His Mother. She came from a fine family. She was sweet and petite@-a delicate beauty. She was fair-skinned with black wavy hair. Soft-spoken. It was from her that Eddie inherited his sweetness and amiability-and that winsome smile and twinkle in his eyes. Her life as my sister-in Law was short, so I couldn't accumulate too many memories. But one thing that did stand out to me as a kid, were the many times I was invited (or did I just happen to stop by?) to have breakfast with them on weekends. This tiny gal could sure whip up a hearty, man-sized breakfast. I can still recall the tantalizing aromas. 

Edward Hernandez, His Father: He was a dark, strong-jawed, handsome man-a physical man, as opposed to Eddie, a cerebral man. In appearance, Eddie was very much the image of his father-but softened by the sweet, gentle attributes of his mother. More about his father as I proceed 

Eddie's Boyhood: After Carmen died, he lived with his grandmother (my mother, a great influence on his life) until his father remarried. During that time with us, Eddie again brought happiness to my life: he became my little brother, Having been spoiled by five older sisters, it was a welcome change. Ill never forget how, among other fun things, we used to like to play wild-wrestle around on the living room floor. And it was good having a little brother tagging along. But more than that, he acquired some "little sisters"-his four younger cousins, who lived close by: Irene, Velia, Lucille and Lenore. There was a great rapport among them-and out of that came an enduring love and respect for him. Eddie, even at that age, was a very spellbinding kind of guy (not only did he exhibit a way with words--but he showed signs of the motivational and organizational skills that would serve him well in the future). Anyway, he enthralled his cousins with magic and many other kinds of diversions. He was always great with kids. (it is a sad note that he was never blessed with children. He would've made a great dad). 

Detachment: When Edward remarried, it was then that Eddie's sense of detachment set in. It was then that his assertiveness began to manifest itself. Maria was the step-mother, a good woman. But the common stepchild/ stepmother syndrome reared its ugly face. Edward fathered two sons with Maria. Eddie got along well with his brothers-but they were so unlike him. Under the prevailing circumstances it was inevitable that he would run away from home ... and eventually be on his own as a very young man. Thanks to the independent streak and resourcefulness that he inherited from his father, he seemed to have managed OK. 

Parallels: There were parallels-similarities-between Eddie's life and his father's life. It begins with the loss of a parent in their formative years. Eddie lost his mother-Edward lost his father (my mother's first husband). It became a struggle for my mother and Edward upon his father's death. But Edward by his own volition went to work at a very early age to help his mother. Like Eddie, Edward had a strong work ethic. By trade he was a cabinet- maker-a perfectionist who took pride in his educations. Just as Eddie always strove for perfection in whatever he undertook. Eddie and his father didn't have an easy life as young men, but they both had the drive and determination to elevate their selves. They both eventually attained and enjoyed high positions of responsibility: Eddie in his supervisory position with the Postal Service (he was a congenial boss); his father as supervisor and foreman at leading furniture manufacturing plants. Eddie and his father were both gifted with an entrepreneurial talent. Their business choices were eclectic. As an example, some of the businesses his father ventured into were such things as a gymnasium, pinball and vending machines, a furniture, cabinet and piano refinishing service for the Beverly Hills elite. Eddie, on the other hand, ventured into such businesses as concrete pumping, rare books (he loved books and was avid reader), advertising specialties-and printing and computer graphics, which fascinated him. 

Searching: In retrospect: Up until the time Eddie enlisted in the U.S. Army, one might've described him as a bright kid-but a lost soul. (Searching for that something.) It was while serving in the Army that his potential began to blossom. And it was during those years that he began to search for a mate--and hopefully to put down roots. That search continued after he served his Army hitch. He went through a series of relationships and marriages. Some were disappointments-and unfortunately, as by a quirk of fate-the most promising were cut short by untimely deaths. But eventually he found what he was searching for-in Annette. Along with his marriage to Annette came a new life ... a new faith ... a new culture ... a new brotherhood. Yes, he finally found a place in which to set roots ... and to find comfort. 

In closing, I hope I have been able to shed some new light on our beloved Eddie. while this old uncle may have had lapses in recall of some details-I am satisfied that I have conveyed the essence. 

RAUL ROMERO
May 1, 2000 
Thanks to Gani Hernandez 
for the Excellent photo of Eddie.