Simon Sifuentes Gonzalez

Simon is preceeded in death by his son Ramon Antonio Gonzalez; survived by his son Simon Armando Gonzalez, his daughter Sonia Aracely Giner; his sister Blanca Irene Bustamante, his sister Maria Luisa Gonzalez, his sister Maria Del Refugio Barrera and his sister Bertha Sanchez; his grandson Jared T. Giner, his grandson Ashton S. Giner, his granddaughter Iratzel X. Gonzalez and his granddaughter Ruhette V. Gonzalez.

A visitation for Simon will be held Friday, May 2, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Funeraria del Angel South Gate, 8665 California Ave, South Gate, California 90280. A rosary will occur Friday, May 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM, 8665 California Ave, South Gate, California 90280. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 9:30 AM at St. Philip De Neri Catholic Church, 4311 Olanda St, Lynwood, Ca 90262. At the conclusion of the mass, Simon will have a final drive by his beloved home.

Simon was one of 10 children, born in the countryside in farm-like conditions. He later realized that he had grown up naively happy, unburdened by the horrors of WWII during a time that Chihuahua was getting ready to erupt into the metropolitan city it is today. He was educated up to the 6th grade, then stayed home to help his father herd their cows back home from the pasture towards what is now downtown Chihuahua. At 13 years old, he became an apprentice in a machine shop which led to his Tool and Dye Machinist jobs in Southern California. Simon became an avid dancer during the popular time of attending Tardiadas in Chihuahua. His adolescence, in the early 1960s, was influenced by Elvis Presley and Rock & Roll where he met his wife at one of these dances. His hair style reflected his teenage era for the rest of his life. He came to the United States during a prosperous time, during time of war. As the dollar was still backed by Gold until 1970, when American men were overseas fighting, this country needed skilled machinists to make landing gear for aircrafts facilitating immigrants becoming U.S. Residents.

Simon moved his wife and three children to the City of South Gate, where he enjoyed many years of working at Angelus Can Co in Vernon enabling to provide for his family. If there is one thing that can be said about Simon, is that he was a very hard-working, skilled, and responsible machinist. His job provided wealth for many loved ones, not just his immediate family. Those years were glorious, as he spent time fixing his home, visiting family in nearby cities, taking his children to Disneyland, taking his children on grunyan runs with other family members at the beach, and doing backyard Easter egg hunts. During the Fernando Valenzuela era, he loved watching the Dodgers play in the company of his wife, his father, his sister Virginia and husband Mario. Additionally, there were countless weddings, quinceneras, carne asadas, birthday parties from South Gate to Chihuahua and everywhere in between.

As his children grew, a decision was made to move his wife and children to Texas for a better future. Unfortunately, this separation of homes would lead to a divorce years later. After years of heartache and struggle, each member of his family completed education, began families, marriages, jobs. Simon’s struggles led him into bad times, but with the emotional support of his children, he managed to get back on track with fatherhood responsibility, as well as a new generation of love amongst his four grandchildren because he became a grandfather.

Simon was a bachelor but always placed his children first. As a bachelor, he loved dancing la quebradita and had a big sense of humor. His grandchildren were the love of his life, they brought him years of joy. One year, he built his grandchildren a tree house in his avocado tree. He couldn’t wait to see the look on his grandchildren’s faces when they arrived. He never missed sending birthday and Christmas cards. He loved buying flowers and making sure his daughter received flowers on mother’s day. He loved buying his grandchildren clothes and giving them cash. Simon was a provider, if family was planning a visit, he made sure to have Winchells Donuts and Little Cesars pizza waiting on the kitchen table upon arrival. He made sure to have plenty of couches and beds for his family to sleep on. He often called his children to check up on them. He kept his home full working order until the end. He was also famous for his avocado tree, which he grew from seeds in his backyard. They are delicious and slice like butter.

Simon believed in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. He prayed day and night. In the end, he left in a peaceful sleep. Thank You God.