Margarito P. Gonzales

Margarito “Max” P. Gonzales, 76, passed away in his San Jose home on Oct 22, 2021 surrounded by his immediate family. Born in the Imperial County on June 10, 1945, Max was the youngest son of Juan and Clotilde Gonzalez. After graduating from Brawley Union High School in 1964, Max was enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1965-1967. Stationed at the Oakland Army Base, he was in the 66th Military Police Company. Though he returned home and obtained one A.A. degree from Imperial Valley College, he ultimately found his way back up to the Bay Area and earned a B.A. Degree in Sociology from San Jose State University in 1974. In later years, Max also earned a teaching credential along with a A.S. Degree from San Jose City College.

From 1973 to 1993, Max was a Deputy Sheriff for Santa Clara County; he worked at Elmwood Jail, in Patrol, in the Court Liaison unit, and as Court Security. During these years, he often coached his kids’ little league or soccer teams. After retiring from the Sheriff’s Department, he held various occupations further serving the community which included teaching (Adult Education, the art of drawing, driver's training) and becoming the Head of Safety and Security at the San Jose Job Corps, where he worked with under-privileged youth.

On February 14, 1976, he married Geraldine Gilroy of Campbell, CA and together they raised 4 children: Sonia, Philip, Olivia, and Gilbert. Max always made sure his family was safe and provided for; there is no doubt he cared deeply for them as they did for him.

He valued family, intelligence, physical fitness, creativity and integrity. He had a playful, clever humor that his family and friends will greatly miss. An artist: he drew, painted, and sculpted. He was an avid reader and a man of many interests but especially loved the movies, world history, and many genres of music. An adventurous person, he and his wife, along with his family, travelled the U.S., Mexico, and Europe. Max especially enjoyed taking the backroads of the Bay Area; he was always one to take the unbeaten path.

He is survived by his siblings and in-laws, most of Brawley, CA: Tomasa(Salvador) Medina of San Diego, Cristobal (Beatrice) Gonzales, Juan (Irene) Gonzales, (Gloria) Gonzales, Gregorio (Julia) Gonzales, Angelita (Fred) Guzman of Alta Loma, Josephina Guillen (Ernest Garcia), and Gloria (Jerry) Santillan; along with his 30 nieces and nephews and their families. Max was preceded in death by his brother Isaac in infancy, his father in 1977, his brother Jose in 2005, his mother in 2008, and his sister Niebes Fernandez in 2012.

A memorial service will be held at the Willow Glen Funeral Home on Monday, November 8, 2021 from 5-8pm. Please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Diabetes Association in lieu of flowers.