Antonio Manuel Gonzalez

89 Years Old

June 10, 1935- August 19, 2024

Jacksonville, Florida

Antonio graduated from Escuela Electro Mechanica Belén in Havana, Cuba in 1960, where he specialized in diesel engines. After immigrating to the United States in 1962 with his wife Luisa and his son Tony, he proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1970. He was employed by Brooks Motors and Mack Trucks before becoming a master mechanic at Powell Chrysler Plymouth and deciding to start his own business. He owned and operated González Automotive for over forty years. He never met a car he couldn’t fix, nor a neighbor he couldn’t help. He was also an expert barterer—once, when a customer couldn’t afford repairs, Antonio accepted payment in the form of a goat which he fondly named Matilda. He loved red wine and dancing and the salsa band Grupo Niche. He was a natural craftsman from the start, and he showed love through constant acts of service—whether he was serving a bowl of frijoles negros or fixing a broken-down car or replacing a door hinge, he was a millionaire in the currency of hard, honest work.

Antonio is preceded in death by his wife, Luisa Salazar González, son Antonio Eduardo González, and grandson Nicholas John González. He is survived by his son Edward John González, wife Jennifer and son Evan; his daughter Jacqueline González Abbott, husband Jeff and children Sophia, Mitchell, and Mia; his daughter-in-law Suzanne Browning González (wife of Tony, mother of Nicholas) and children Jessica Lewis, husband Harold, and children Madelyn, Oliver, and Felicity; Antonio González IV, wife Kalyn; Christopher González, wife Megan, children Addison, Aurora, and Damien; Gabriela Rivers, husband Logan, children Kaia and Finley; his wife Concepcion Garcia Sanchez.

Antonio’s family is deeply grateful for his courageous choice of leaving Cuba in pursuit of the American Dream. He believed in God, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in a free country—he often said that education is the greatest form of freedom, and was proud to head a happy, healthy Cuban-American family that will never know the oppression of his beloved homeland. He was a man of many tall tales, but his life story is the truest one: he loved his family, did his best to make his community a better place, and never took a day for granted.

A celebration of life will be held on September 8, 2024 at the Murabella Amenity Center. Please wear either colorful attire or traditional Cuban garb—after all, it is a celebration that Antonio has gone to be with his Heavenly Father. Children are welcome.

101 W. Positano Ave

St. Augustine, Florida 32092

Service 11 AM - 11:45 A.M.

Fellowship to follow until 2 PM

September 8, 2024