Juan D. Gonzalez

Juan D. Gonzalez, 71 of Summerfield, FL. passed away at the Estelle Hospice House. Juan was born in Grandada, Columbia. Juan moved here 8 years ago from New York, and retired from IBM as a computer technician after many years. Juan was a member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church of Belleview, FL., and was an avid tennis player and he enjoyed his bible studying, and the classic’s. He is survived by his devoted wife- Bertha Gonzalez of Summerfield, FL., beloved son- John and his wife Karen of Long Beach, N.Y., 2 brothers- Marco Gonzalez and Aurelio Gonzalez, 3 sisters- Victoria Meanor, Cecilia Gonzalez, and Blanca Gonzalez. 2 grandchildren- Estelle Elizabeth Gonzalez and Alaric Anthony Gonzalez. The family will be receiving friends on Tuesday, Feb 24 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm all are welcome to attend and visit with the family. There will be a funeral Mass Wed, Feb 25th at St Theresa’s Catholic Church at 2:00 pm all are welcome to attend and celebrate Juan’s life with the family. The committal service to follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

From John Gonzalez his son:

Los Valores de mi Padre

As I reflect on the life and contribution of my father I keep considering three values that were integral to his life and which in turn have shaped me. The context for this reflection is the tumultuous and contentious relationship that the two of us had during my teenage and adolescent years. During those years we had our distinct roles as I would develop my emerging identity in opposition to him. I would see my father as the “immigrant,” a man from another culture and world whose ways seemed peculiar and strange in the surroundings of upstate New York. I would identify myself as an “American,” a fiercely proud, rational and independent individual who sought to distance myself from the communal (which I interpreted as suffocating) and devotional (which I interpreted as superstitious) style that defined my father. It was in the midst of this struggle where these three core values that embodied him began to shape me.

My father was loyal. He was not an independent individual, instead he closely identified himself with his work and family. He took pride in both and would never quit or walk away from either even though there were times I am sure he would have liked to. I was particularly upset with him one time when he finally was forced to take the early retirement at a company that he worked for just under 20 years. I wanted him to curse that company and recognize how he was used and let go by this corporate giant. He would have none of it, instead he wanted me to recognize how much that company did for him and the family in providing us with the opportunities that it did. I saw his loyalty as a weakness that kept him from making the most of his life. He showed me that he was who he was because of the individuals, businesses and social institutions that gave him every opportunity to live a fulfilling and good life. I eventually rebelled from my individualistic ideals when I learned about the communal values of the monastic movements and Catholic social teachings. Only recently did I realize how I grew up with these same values through the example of my father.

My father was a man of unrelenting faith. His faith and devotions were always at the center of who he was and he never wavered in that. There was such a strong sense of faith in our household that I never could give in to a fully secular ideology even though I would question many aspects of his faith and for a time I would distance myself from his church. However I did struggle with him over his devotional practices and critiqued what I had deemed to be a simple and unsophisticated faith. For a time I remember how nervous my father was as I read theological and philosophical books. I thought it was curious that he would approve my devotion to Thomas Aquinas (to help me get better grades) but he was none to keen with the thought that I would study the Summa. Eventually I was able to demonstrate to my father that one could have faith and engage in deeper questions to help unpack aspects of the faith that were not very clear. After he retired he would join discussion groups on cosmological and philosophical matters sharing with me the themes that were being discussed and getting my input. Later on, as I deepened my theological studies and became aware of Latino/a theology, I started realized how meaningful popular devotions are as a way to express counter-cultural values that connect us with God and one another. My father may not have been able to articulate theological principles but he lived them through his devotional practices.

My father lived a life of charity. For as long as I can remember, my father always gave contributions and donations to the church, domestic and international charitable organizations, and to various family members back in Colombia. His life of charity included taking in members of the family in who came from the old country, letting them stay at our house while they found their place in this country. My mother and I would criticize his charitable contributions which we both thought were excessive at times. I recall arguing that we did not know if the organizations were reputable or if the money did any good. In all honesty, my “ethical” argument was a front to have more money as I tried to get my father to invest in me instead. My father gave out of a sense of duty, he saw what he had as a blessing and so long he was able to provide for his family he had a duty to help others in need. Eventually, when I came back to the Church community, I realized how crucial the virtue of charity as the direct expression of one’s faith to each other. Now I place myself at the service of charity and social justice within the mission of the Church; eventually, upon reflection, it was my father who instilled in me this sense of moral duty to one another.

These were the values that my father imparted on me. I challenged him with each one of these values, thinking that they belonged to another culture or another time. Only now do I realize how central these values are in giving meaning to a person of my generation who struggles to find value in our society. Faith and devotion is what gives us hope and meaning in our lives. This meaning allows us to develop loyal relationships to one another through our families, work, church and social communities. Charity in turn becomes a central expression of this faith as we seek to contribute to the common good of all. These are the values that were fundamental to the life of my father, and now they are mine.