Richard Gonzales
Godfrey |
Richard “Vic” Gonzales, 78, died at 3:07 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at Alton Memorial Hospital. Born October 8, 1934 in San Felipe, Mexico, he was the son of Atanacio and Reyes (Carmona) Gonzales. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959 and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton. He retired from Amoco Oil Company as a pipefitter. Vic volunteered for the Red Cross beginning in April of 1995 and was volunteer of the year. He was one of the first disaster volunteers to respond to the September 11th tragedy, arriving the Friday after the attack at the Pentagon. Vic was dedicated to his community and his family. He was the Grand Marshall of the Alton Halloween parade in 1997. He enjoyed coaching many youth recreational sports teams and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. Surviving are four brothers and one sister; Frank Gonzales of Alton, Juanita Cruz of Alton, Felix Gonzales of Texas City, TX, Herman Gonzales of Texas City, TX, and Tony Gonzales of St. Louis, MO, a sister-in-law, Loretta Gonzales of Godfrey, 15 nieces and nephews; Margaret Clark, Michael Cruz, Daniel Cruz, Connie St. Peters, Julie Weiner, Ken Cruz, Leonard Gonzales, Raymond Gonzales, Christina Gebben, Tom Gonzales, Nancy Gonzales, Phil Gonzales, David Gonzales, Jennifer McCullough, and Reyes Mosley, and numerous great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Consuelo Gonzales, three brothers, John, Peter, and Joseph Gonzales, and a niece, Theresa Gonzales. His last act of kindness was the gift of his body to St. Louis University School of Medicine. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2013 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A memorial Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 16, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton. Father Jim Walther will officiate. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church Youth Group, St. Francis Catholic Church Youth Group, Holy Ghost Catholic Church Youth Group, and Zion Lutheran Church Youth Group in Bethalto or to Autismspeak.org in the name of Abby Cruz, his great niece. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Gent Funeral Home
