Victor M. Gonzalez

Victor Gonzalez was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on March 15, 1944 to Antonia Gomez Gonzalez and Antipo Gomez.  His mother moved her children to Baltimore, MD where Vic grew up in the late 1940’s.

He attended parochial grade school and then went to Baltimore Polytech for high school and immediately after school went into the Air Force.  After his tour in the Air Force was complete and he was on his way back to Baltimore, he stopped in Michigan to see his former service roommate.  He decided to get a job for a while but met his wife, Diane, at work in Grand Rapids, MI and never returned to living in Maryland.  They became the parents to three children whom they adored.

Vic went to work at Ford Motor Company as a Controls Engineer in automated tooling for the auto industry.  He started his own business as a Controls Engineer and worked at a job he loved until he retired.  After retirement, he worked at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church as an all-around handyman.  He loved his interactions with all the wonderful people he met in his second career.

He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013.  He was treated at Moffitt Cancer Center ever since as it reared its ugly head again in 2015 and again in early 2019.  He survived three major operations during this time, but he lost his well-fought battle on October 26, 2019.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 50 years, Diane.  He is also survived by his daughter, Lori Gonzalez (Christopher Day), and his sons, Paul Gonzalez (Jennifer) and Gary Gonzalez.  He was loved immensely by his 5 grandchildren, Drew Gonzalez, Riley Wright, Logan Wright, Cora Wright and Kai Wright, whose mother, Whittney Wright is still considered to be our family.  He is also survived by his sister, Edie Werner (Barry) from PA.  Several nieces and nephews are devastated by the loss of this special man.  One of them wrote about their “UV” Yesterday morning, this beautiful wonderful man died, leaving gaping holes in the hearts of many, especially his bride (and wife of many years).  The standard-bearer for manhood, Victor Gonzalez, defined husband, father, grandfather, uncle, neighbor and friend.  I am going to miss UV, my Godfather, as much as I would any parent.  I am confident that he is with Jesus, but that doesn’t numb the pain or lessen the loss.  #NotReadyBabe.

Vic was preceded in death by his mother, Toni, and his sister, Carmen Tinker.

We are all mourning his loss until they day we are joined together again.