Phillip C. Fernandez

Phillip C. (Bubba) Fernandez, age 78, died peacefully at his home in Essex Junction, Vermont on January 31, 2023 after a short illness. Bubba was born on December 6, 1944 in Montpelier, Vermont, to parents Louis and Doris Fernandez.

While growing up in Montpelier, Vermont he loved playing sports any chance he could get.  He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1962.  Bubba was a well-known and respected football, basketball, and baseball player, throughout his youth and young adult years. He was a member of the 1962 Vermont New Hampshire Shrine Football team, and was named to the All-New England Prep School Basketball Team in 1963 while attending Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Bubba married his high-school sweetheart, Virginia (Ginny) Bossi on July 17, 1964.  Together they welcomed two children, Phil and Lisa.  

Bubba turned his love for sports into a role of coach and mentor to his children’s teams, passing along the drive and love of the games. This included learning a sport he never played in his youth (ice hockey).  He helped coach youth hockey in Essex Junction and also coached various other youth sports teams during these years.

An avid Red Sox fan, for life, he could tell tales of going to Fenway Park with his father (Honest Lou), and father-in-law (Hoop).  This tradition was passed down to the next generations as well.  Oh the stories, and the hot dogs!

Bubba also enjoyed deer camp with friends he has known since he was a child.  Honestly, he enjoyed camp life…not really the hunt itself.  He did still manage to have a prize trophy from his ‘hunting’ seasons.  He bagged a shiny new 1987 Toyota Tacoma, his own. From the inside.  Through the driver’s seat, and out the driver’s side door.  It was at close range, but still one for the books.

Bubba retired from IBM in 1994, on his 50th birthday.  He says he walked out of IBM, and went home to the only female he truly loved, but she had four legs - His beloved dog Cassidy (Cassie).    We all know you meant your wife, right Bubba?  

He enjoyed ‘summer’ retirement jobs up until he passed away, most recently and definitely his favorite being with S.D. Ireland…never slowing down.  Many thanks to Scott, Missy, and all of the Ireland family.

After retirement, Bubba and Ginny wintered in Venice Florida on the Gulf Coast.  There Bubba enjoyed riding his bike endlessly, and great conversations and visits with neighbors and Vermont snowbirds.  He also gathered in the mornings at the beach with a group of friends dubbed The College of Knowledge, where they had their morning coffee and discussed the day’s events.  Each member had their own news-reporting role - the weather reports for the home regions of the College’s membership were Bubba’s responsibility.

While in Vermont, Bubba never passed up an opportunity for a good old-fashioned donut, or the coveted jelly donut with no sugar on the outside.   Coffee always went well with those.  Thanks to the Quality Bake Shop in Essex Junction, and the morning coffee-counter crew.

He is survived by his wife of more than 58 years, Ginny, his two children Phil (Erin) Fernandez, Lisa (Steve) Bergeron, and his favorite granddaughter Ebe Fernandez. He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Barbara (Dave) Larson, John (Chris) Bossi, and Harry (Pat) Bossi, their extended families, and extended family on his side.  Bubba’s passing leaves a big hole in our family.  He also leaves behind a great circle of friends (lifelong and more recent) who meant the world to him and Ginny as well. Bubba was predeceased by his parents Louis and Doris Fernandez, and his only sibling Louise Fernandez.  

There will be no funeral services or visiting hours.  A Celebration of Life will be planned for warmer months ahead.  In lieu of flowers, the family is asking those interested to please consider donating, in honor of Bubba’s love for all sports, to Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports  (<https://www.vermontadaptive.org/donate/>) , for sporting opportunities to be passed on to those who benefit from this organization’s goals and values.