Fernando Manuel López Díaz, 55, of Elgin, died on Friday, May 9, 2025. Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, on October 12, 1969, he was a son of Fernando Enrique López Morera and Esilda Díaz Díaz Santiago. His step-parents, Carmen Iris Archilla and Héctor Luis Santiago-Otero, also had a huge impact on his life.

Fernando attended El Colegio Espíritu Santo from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and then La Universidad Interamericana (San Juan, Puerto Rico) where he studied computer science and economics. He also attended Montclair State University (New Jersey) for a period, working on his BFA in photography. After growing up in Puerto Rico and completing his schooling while working for several years in automobile parts and service, Fernando moved to the United States when he was 30 years old to start a new life, get married, start a family.

Fernando was a car enthusiast from the very beginning, from collecting matchbox cars as a small child, to participating on a racing team (he was the fuel man and gas man) that traveled throughout Latin America, to restoring old Porsches with his father and brother in his father's garage, to working in sales for Toyota, to creating custom wraps for cars and motorcycles.

In addition to his passion for cars and motorcycles, Fernando was wonderful with children and fully embraced the philosophy of his daughter's Waldorf education. He was a beloved member of the Green Meadow Waldorf School community and worked for several years in various roles at his daughter Sofia's school, including as the after-care teacher, as an assistant in a classroom for children with special needs, and as school event photographer/videographer. He was an artist with a unique eye for finding beauty in any situation. He worked as a freelance photographer for many years, and up until the day he died.

But his proudest accomplishment and the love of his life was his daughter, Sofia. He moved heaven and earth to get to her wherever and whenever she needed him, including flying up to New Jersey for two days (from South Carolina, where he'd moved recently to care for his mother after her husband's passing) to attend her knee surgery. He had planned to come up a few weeks later to celebrate with her the end of the school year.

Fernando died suddenly on May 9 doing something else he loved: cycling. We are comforted by the fact that Fernando lived every day to the fullest, and gave of himself completely wherever he went. He leaves behind for us his footprints, his legacy of love and compassion, of indomitable joy, generosity, and kindness. Always quick to help or comfort, embracing everyone he met with a warm and open smile, Fernando truly loved his neighbor, and he taught us all how to do that better. His gentle warmth and ability to make everyone feel valued and included was a gift to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by friends, family, and the acquaintances he impacted almost as soon as they met him.

In addition to his mother, father, and step-mother, survivors include his best friend and mother of his daughter, Rebecca Kiil; daughter, Sofia López; siblings, Fernando Enrique López, Gerardo Santiago, Maribel Santiago, Nannette Santiago, Annette Santiago, Itzel Alicea, Livinia Santiago, Héctor Santiago, Jr.; nieces and nephews, Rafael López, Alana López, Kaitlyn Kiil, Jeremy Kiil, Allison Leber, Rita Burgess, Christian Leber; and extended family, Janine Souffront, Fernando Javier Palomino-Souffront, Andrés C. Palomino-Souffront, Evelyn Auli, Eveliris Auli Archilla, Joanna Auli Archilla, Norelie López Davila, Nicole Vachon.

He was preceded in death by his step-father Héctor Luis Santiago-Otero; his cousin Ramon Auli Archilla; his aunt Ángeles Díaz ("Tata"); and his beloved grandparents Ángeles Esilda and Toñón Díaz, Carmen Morera, and Eliseo López.

The family will hold a private gathering in Columbia, South Carolina. A service will be held on Saturday, May 24 at 11 a.m. in New Jersey at the High Mountain Presbyterian Church (730 Franklin Lake Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417). A memorial road rally/drive to celebrate Fernando's life will be held on Saturday, May 31 at 10 a.m. The drive will begin at 522 Highway 601 South, Lugoff, SC 29078; and end at the Retreat at Lake Wateree (83 Doe Run Lane, Ridgeway, SC 29130). Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Even though Fernando left Puerto Rico, the island (La Isla del Encanto, the island of enchantment) never left him. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Fundación de Niños de Puerto Rico ( www.fundaciondeninospr.org ).