Joy Ann Gonzalez

She attended Blessed Sacrament grammar school and Preston High School, both in the Bronx. Joy received a scholarship and graduated from the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania in 1982 with her Bachelor’s degree. Joy began her career in New York working first in an animal clinic, followed by the Bronx Zoo and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo. She moved to Florida in 1997 to begin her 25+ year career with Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Joy, fondly known as Titi, loved her family and her animals. She loved gardening and reading medical crime thrillers. She loved the music of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen and would proudly tell us that she saw Bruce perform in college before he was famous. She traveled the world, visiting Africa, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico among others. She was so loving, generous, smart, and independent. She could always make us laugh with her sarcastic sense of humor.

She is survived by her sister, Judy, brother Jackie, nieces Vanessa, Tai and Jacquie, brother-in law Larry and sister-law Gloria, great nephew Aiden, and all her loving cousins.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, June 23rd, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Family Funeral Care, 13001 South John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32837.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joy’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital :

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?dedication=2&sc_icid=honors-lp-donate-bttn-top&express=0&product_code=MCGLHNENAAllOccHope&frequency_selected=0.

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From Disney’s Animal Kingdom Team:

Joy was a dedicated animal care Zoological Manager at Disney’s Animal Kingdom since its opening in 1998. She leaves behind a profound legacy of compassion, leadership, and advocacy within the Disney community and beyond.

From the very beginning of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Joy played a pivotal role in the lives of both her fellow cast members and the animals under her care. Her commitment to excellence and her unwavering support for her team allowed numerous individuals to flourish in their careers, not only within Disney but also in various zoological facilities worldwide.

Joy was a staunch advocate for animal welfare, making it her life’s mission to ensure the well-being and happiness of every creature entrusted to her care. Her dedication was evident in her tireless efforts in the Oasis and Tree of Life areas, where she contributed significantly to the enrichment and health of the animals.

Beyond her professional achievements, Joy was cherished for her quick wit, which brought laughter and camaraderie to her colleagues. Her ability to foster a supportive environment within her team was unparalleled, earning her the admiration and respect of all who had the privilege of working alongside her.

Joy will be deeply missed by her work family and the countless animals whose lives she touched with her kindness and expertise. Her legacy of passion, commitment, and advocacy will continue to inspire all those who strive to make a difference in the world of animal care and conservation.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joy’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital :

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?dedication=2&sc_icid=honors-lp-donate-bttn-top&express=0&product_code=MCGLHNENAAllOccHope&frequency_selected=0.