Anthony John Gonsalves

Our dearest Anthony was sadly and unexpectedly taken from us on April 10, 2022. A tragedy that has left a hole in the hearts of so many. He was a beloved husband, father, Opa, brother, uncle, and friend. He was seen as a surrogate father and brother by many and will be deeply missed. Anthony was a man of few words but he never hesitated to voice his opinion when the subject was close to his heart. Anthony was born on September 12, 1954 in Honolulu Hawaii to John and Ursula Gonsalves. He was the baby of the family with 2 brothers and 2 sisters. When he was in 6th grade his family moved to Chula Vista, Ca. He attended castle park high school and participated in the marching band, playing the drums. Some of his longest lasting friendships developed in high school over a shared love of music and riding dirt bikes. At his 20th birthday celebration his friends introduced him to the girl who would soon thereafter become his wife.

On June 27. 1975 Anthony married the girl of his dreams Diana and they have been together ever since. Two weeks after getting married Anthony joined the air force and the adventures of military life began. While in the air force he completed many courses and advanced to the rank of sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1979. The air force took them to many places such as New Mexico, Illinois, Terceira in the Azores and Delaware where Anthony became a father to a beautiful baby girl named Susanna. When Sanna was 1, Anthony and Diana returned home to California where they welcomed 2 handsome sons, Jacob and Joseph. Having to support a family of 5 Anthony became a welder and went to work at Delta Design Inc. After 28 years he retired due to medical issues. Anthony had many medical issues, but he never let them stop him or get him down. He survived blindness, hearing loss, stage 4 throat cancer, prostate cancer, and 5 bypass heart surgeries. Many people didn't know the extent of his medical issues because he never wanted people to pity him or give him special treatment.

Anthony loved many things but at the top of his list was his family. At the age of 50 he became an Opa (grandfather) being blessed with grandchildren helped to make his catholic faith and love of the lord grow stronger. Although he might not have shown it to many people. His 6 grandchildren softened his hard outer shell. Anthony had a passion for music, fishing, traveling, tattoos and the raiders! Anthony loved almost all types of music and could name songs and artists from hearing only a few notes. Before the throat cancer he had a beautiful voice and loved to sing.

He connected with many people over his love of fishing, he could sit out at the bay for hours and not catch a thing but still call it a great day. He loved traveling and the thing at the top of his bucket list was to visit all 50 of the United States. Before his untimely death he had visited 49 of the 50 states. Anthony liked to document his life in the form of tattoos. He tattooed the things he loved most on his body such as the names of his wife, children, grandchildren, the Hawaiian Islands and a giant raiders shield on his forearm. One of his fears in life was spiders and in an attempt to overcome that fear he started getting spider tattoos all over his body.

Anthony is survived by his wife of 46 years. Diana (Dee Dee), his children Susanna (sanna), Jacob, and his wife Eden. Joseph and his wife Nicole. His beloved grandchildren Angelina, Noah, Tomas (children of Jacob and Eden) and Nolan, Ivy, Jett (children of Joseph and Nicole). He is also survived by his siblings Karin Aquino, Clifford Gonsalves and Johanna Treinen. He was preceded in death by his parent’s John and Ursula Gonsalves. His brother Mark Gonsalves and many other well-loved family members.

A viewing & vigil service for Anthony will be held Thursday, April 28, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Funeraria Del angel Chula Vista, 753 Broadway, Chula Vista, ca 91910.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.humphreymortuary.com for the Gonsalves family.