Raymond C. Gonzalez

Raymond C. Gonzalez Sr. age 98, long-time resident, well-respected businessman and former councilman of the city of Center Line, died Sunday, March 21, 2010. Mr. Gonzalez was the beloved husband of the late Josephine for 72 years. He left this earth a mere 23 days after she did. He was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church since 1942, a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Ushers Club of St. Clement, a one time member of the Macomb County Board of Supervisors, as well as previously mentioned, a councilman for the city of Center Line. Mr. Gonzalez was influential in local city and state government. He stood on the platform, many decades ago, next to John F. Kennedy while the nation's President addressed a large group of people in the city of Warren. He was friends with Senator Phillip Hart and Michigan governor, G Mennen Williams. He was a tool and die maker and a Union steward for the UAW/CIO. In 1947, he stood with Walter Reuther, newly elected president of the UAW/CIO, to fight (literally) for the rights of local, hard working citizens who were trying to unionize. He helped pave the way for people who worked for the auto factories to uphold their right to union representation. People like him helped the blue collar middle class thrive. As a young man, he traveled the entire continental United States and portions of Canada. He settled in the Detroit area in his mid-twenties, where he met the love of his life, the late Josephine, and started a family. As a young couple, Raymond and Josephine were avid dancers. Their friends would enjoy watching them on the dance floor. Often teased about their resemblance to the then famous TV couple, Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, Ray and Jo, the handsome Latin and the gorgeous redhead, just laughed. If you were lucky enough to have known him, you would have felt the magnetism when he entered a room. In his prime, he captivated people with story telling, light banter, or something as simple as his presence as he sat and smoked a big cigar. He is survived by his children; Audrey Basham, Art (Joann) Gonzalez, and Carol (David) Silage; and his brother, Arturo C. Gonzalez. He is pre-deceased by his son, Raymond Jr., and infant, stillborn son, Robert; his parents, Sergio and Genoveva Gonzalez; his brother, Sergio; and sisters, Juanita, Sister Rose of lima, Louise and Amalia. He has wonderful grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and other dear family members and friends. While we will miss him, it should be obvious to us, of course, that he was just doing what he always wanted to do, going home to "Mama", his beloved Josephine. Funeral services for Mr. Gonzalez will be Friday 11:00 am at the funeral home. Visitation will be Thursday for 3-9 pm. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan.