Carlos Antonio (Charlie) González-Soto, age 94, of Carrollton, Georgia, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2022. Charlie was born November 1, 1927, in Cayey, Puerto Rico, and attended Elementary School and High School in Cayey and Juncos. He also lived in Juncos, Puerto Rico, before settling in San Juan in 1951 until 2020. He spent his final years in Carrollton, Georgia, to be close to family.
Charlie was gratified to have had continuous employment since his youth. He never shied from hard work, all for the benefit of his loving family. He worked, and excelled, at several jobs including salesman, purchasing agent, chief of operations, pay teller, receiving clerk, custodian, and personal messenger for the United States Navy Dry Dock and Repair Facilities (1945-1947), Departments of Health (1948-1951), Labor (1951-1952 and 1953-1957), Public Works (1952-1953 and 1957-1959), Agriculture and Commerce (1957), and P & C Company (1976-1982). He truly loved his time at WAPA TV Broadcasting Corp in San Juan from 1959-1974, as a purchasing agent and later as Chief of Operations supervising programming especially of movies. Charlie was most proud, however, of being able to serve over 20 years in the United States Army National Guard from 1948-1961 and 1980-1987, retiring at the rank of Staff Sergeant (E6).
In addition to family and friends, Charlie loved music. He listened to bands and singers from throughout Latin America. He was a particular fan of Los Panchos, with roots in New York City, Mexico, and Puerto Rico; and Raul DiBlasio, the Argentine pianist with a special regard for Puerto Rico. He always maintained a soft spot for Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, and too many more to list. But at the top of his musical devotion, for two to three months each year, was his beloved "Música Navideña de Puerto Rico!" All of it. Too many songs, bands, and singers to mention. He particularly looked forward to the new compilation albums each year. His vast CD collection will be a treasured heirloom. He loved nothing better during the Christmas season than listening to his music and enjoying some lechón, pastelles, arroz con gandules, and a little sangria.
He loved sports on TV. He always followed the boxers from Puerto Rico and cheered on the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. And for his evening Cuba Libre (or two) it was only Puerto Rican rum, Don Q, never Bacardi, and only Cristal never the Gold. And that is not "una mentirita."
In his small but tidy back yard he loved tending his mango tree, plantain, recao, and orchids. And he reveled in watching the reinitas argue over which was next in line for the sugar water he kept supplied for them.
Charlie met his future wife, Carmen Margarita González-Algarín, in Juncos, where they were married in 1951. She preceded him in death in 2012 after 61 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his parents, Francisco and Geronima González, siblings Francisco Geronimo, José Ramón, Delia, Francisco, Ángel Manuel, and Cristobal.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children Carmen Bush (David), Carlos A. González, Laura Castro (Armando), and Blanca Huston; his grandchildren Michelle Dingman (Garrett), Edgardo Gierbolini (Austin), Tony Castro (Kelly), Nicolas Gierbolini, Iván González (Vanessa), Leslie Medina (Randy), Irene Fernández (Frankie); and great-grandchildren, Nadia, Natasha, Leann, Sofia, Abigail, Alex, Aiden and Andre.
Don Carlos loved life in all its forms, especially Doña Carmen, his family, friends, music, nature, holidays, and his Querida Borinquen.
Viewing will be Sunday, March 27, from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Whitley-Garner. Burial will be Monday, March 28, at 1:30 P.M. in the National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.
Following the service, Charlie will be laid to rest at:
Georgia National Cemetery
2025 Mount Carmel Church Lane
Canton, Cherokee County, Georgia, 30114 USA
phone: 770-479-9300
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/georgia.asp
While flowers are appreciated, the family would like to suggest donations in memory of Carlos to The American Cancer Association, www.cancer.org
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitleygarner.com for the González-Soto family.
Services have been entrusted to the care of Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home, 8640 Rose Avenue, Douglasville, Georgia 30134.
