Noel Devia Hernandez

Noel, a long time resident of Cornwall, passed away at home November 26th on Thanksgiving Day 2020 with his family by his side, following a brief illness. He was 78 years old. Noel was born in Dolores, Colombia on April 15, 1942, where he grew up very poor and loved running in and around the beautiful mountain terrain of rural Colombia. As a young man, he learned the trade of a tailor, he also studied Accounting, and at the age of 26 in 1968, he decided that he wanted to come to America, and go to school where he learned English, where he would meet the love of his life, Mercedes Abad. They married on May 17, 1969 in New York City, NY, married for 51 years. Noel worked at various jobs as a tailor in Manhattan, Queens, Nanuet, and finally at the United States Military Academy at West Point, as an award winning Master Tailor, where he spent 33 years keeping cadets looking sharp in their tailored cadet uniforms. Noel truly lived and achieved the American dream. In 1973, Noel and Mercedes moved their family out of the Bronx to Cornwall, NY for a better life. He worked multiple tailoring jobs on nights and weekends to support his family. He felt so proud to come to this country, and built a new home in 1978, where he even had his home street named after him. He was very devoted to his family, they meant everything to him, as he enjoyed raising his kids, and felt proud in the manner in which he raised his children, which was passed on to his grandchildren. He enjoyed vacationing with friends and family, watching soccer, playing chess, loved dancing, word puzzles, and eating at his favorite Chinese Restaurant when his master chef wife needed a break from the kitchen. In his retirement in 2006, he received one of the biggest honors of his life, a wonderful retirement send off at West Point Military Academy. He was invited to retire alongside Five Star Generals, where you could see a pageantry parade of cadets marching in perfect unison out on to The Plain Field from their barracks, while Noel stood up straight and proud with his head held high, a moment that his family will never forget for him. Noel also worked as an Election Poll Worker in his retirement, and this year was the last time he was able to exercise his right to vote with an absentee ballot. Noel could also be seen enjoying a brisk walk along Boulevard & Continental Road in Cornwall, with his wife every morning. Noel was a great father, grandfather, and husband. He loved attending all of his grandchildren's sporting events, dance recitals, and educational accomplishments. His family will forever miss him. He is survived by his wife and three children, Martha Christensen (Jim), Tom Hernandez (Dana), and David Hernandez (Michelle) along with his cherished grandchildren Christopher, Emily, Olivia, Bobby, Cecilia, Marcella, Nicholas, and Caitlyn. He was predeceased by his mother, Bertha Devia, and father Indalecio Devia, three brothers Marcos, Indalecio and Simon, and sister Irma. Noel requested no services upon his departure, and that this would be the only way to celebrate his life, but his family would like to request, if you wish, to make a donation to the charity of your choice in his name. Funeral Arrangements and Cremation Care have been entrusted to Brendan T. Flynn and Thomas F. Flynn, Directors and Certified Cremation Specialists of Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc. To offer an online memorial please visit www.flynnfh.com