Charles "Charlie" Gonzales Espinoza

Charles “Charlie” Gonzales Espinoza, 69, passed away unexpectedly on August 16, 2021 in his home in Peoria, Arizona. Charlie was born on February 4, 1952 to Rodolfo Ramirez Espinoza and Ruth Live Gonzales at St. Joseph’s hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. After graduating from South Mountain High School in 1970, Charlie joined the U.S. Navy and served his country during the Vietnam War. Following his service with the US Navy, Charlie joined the Phoenix Fire Department in 1974 where he had a 35-year career, retiring as a Captain/Arson Investigator in 2009.

Charlie was a devoted father, grandfather and family man. He was the life of the party; the person who would literally give the shirt off his back for anyone in need, the kindest, funniest and most humble man in the room. He was a great son, brother, favorite uncle, friend and the best father and Tata to his daughter and three granddaughters. Undoubtedly, he lived his life for them and they shared an unbreakable and special bond that was well known to everyone who knew him.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents and survived by his daughter Briana (Felix) Pedroza, granddaughters, Ariana, Aliyah and Madilyn Charlee; son, Charles E. Espinoza and grandchildren, Carlos, Jessica and Angelo; brothers: Rodolfo “Jr.” and Ruben Espinoza (Annie); sisters Mary Thornton (James), Betty Miller and Angie Velasquez and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held on August 26, 2021 at:

Christ Church of the Valley (CCV)- 7007 W. Happy Valley Rd., Building 4000, Peoria, AZ 85383

The viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m. followed by the memorial service at 10:00 a.m. Following the funeral services, family and friends are invited to the Celebration of Life reception at:

The American Legion Post Earl E. Mitchell Post #29 - 6822 N. 57th Dr. Glendale, AZ 85301

Those who wish to remember Charlie in a special way, please keep his daughter, son, grandchildren and family in your prayers. He would want to be remembered as a man who lived life to his fullest; a man who was blessed by God and who lived every day as an honest and simple man. He would say “don’t shed any tears, I lived a good life; live on and make the best of every day you are given.” Of course, he would say these words in his own loud and full of sarcasm voice.

Charlie’s sudden passing has left an unfillable void to all who knew and loved him. May his soul rest in peace.