Mario Armando Gonzalez

April 6, 1965-October 15, 2025

Born on April 6, 1965 in San Salvador, El Salvador, Mario was the son of Mario Gonzalez and Gloria Elizabeth Torres.

At the age of 15, Mario fled El Salvador’s civil war and arrived in Washington, D.C. After graduating from Bell Multicultural High School (MCIP), Mario co-founded The LatiNegro Theatre Collective at the Latin American Youth Center. Mario later earned a degree in Paralegal Studies from Montgomery Community College in 2005.

Mario became a citizen of the United States. He retired from the Montgomery County Office of Child Support Enforcement Administration after serving the public for 17 years, including a 3-year internship, with the MD State’s Attorney’s office.

Mario was an avid fan of sports, music, and a competitive ping pong player back-in-the-day. You could often find Mario spending his free time watching a Commanders or Manchester United game, listening to a house DJ’s latest set, or walking his dog Lucky, who he has now reunited with.

Mario is survived by his wife Lisa; their daughters Maya and Ari (and spouse Amani Simon-Chapman); his stepson Joseph Burks (spouse Sherry Burks (deceased); his sister Connie Barahona de Gonzalez (and spouse Rigoberto Barahona); and his grand-dogs Kobe (Joseph) and Peanut (Maya).

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 7th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

DeVol Funeral home

10 East Deer Park Dr.

Gaithersburg, MD 20877

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Latino Cancer Institute at https://latinocancerinstitute.org/support-donate/.