Memories of Fernando Quintero

In memory of

Fernando Quintero

El Cerrito, CA

June 8, 1962 - January 21, 2020

Jun 8, 1962 - Jan 21, 2020

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Debbie Frazier

He is making the angels laugh and dance, as he did all of us why miss him. That is our comfort at this sad time along with knowing he will live on in our hearts and memories. Love, Debbie

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Sara Burnett Drever

Denver, Colorado

Fernando was one of the first new friends I made when I moved to Denver from Chicago knowing only three people in the state of Colorado. We worked together at the Rocky Mountain News, where I was often in awe of his ability to get people to talk to him. Looking back, I know the reason he pulled that off over and over was the same reason all of us became his friends - he was warm and charming and smart and he believed everyone mattered. Just meeting him for a few minutes, he made people feel that.

We took trips to the mountains with our friend Stuart, and I loved that Fernando was one of the few people I knew in Colorado who, like me, wanted to see the mountains but didn't feel the need to hoof it to the top of all of them. (So those are the Maroon Bells. Beautiful. Wanna get a drink?)

When I bought my house Fernando announced he would help me decorate it. We went first to a giant discount furniture store to buy a couch and some open bookshelves that he said, rightly, would make my tiny house feel bigger (still have them!) Then Fernando took me to some thrift and antique stores. He told me that the key to decorating your home was to surround yourself with unique things, preferably things that have stories to tell. I saw it in his home, from the pictures on the wall that always made people say "where did you get this?" to the unusual pieces he found who-knows-where, and it became an inspiration to me. No Pottery Barn art in this house, to this day. If you come over, I'll tell you the story behind everything, even if you don't ask.

The times I will remember most though were the dinner parties. Fernando, often with Maria, would invite a group of us over for fabulous food (oh, the guacamole) and drinks and conversation and Donna Summer and usually, dancing. I loved those nights surrounded by friends, a collection of people who cared about each other and brightened each other's lives, usually while bitching about our jobs before we knew how much we'd miss it all someday. There's a song by the Highwomen called "Crowded Table" and I think of those nights when I hear it. "I want a house with a crowded table, and a place by the fire for everyone."

Thank you Fernando, for the adventures, the decorating tips, and for giving me my first Colorado family. We all miss you.

xoxo
Sara

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Debbie Frazier

Comments:

Reidun Mcgrath

Fernando was a loving , wonderful friend to Jackie Marinelli-Koontz. Fernando was a loving , wonderful friend to Jackie Marinelli-Koontz. Fernando was a loving , wonderful friend to Jackie ... Read more