happy 4th (6th) of july man 🤙🏼 heard a song n it reminded me of you. hope youre at peace man miss you

Zachary, my beautiful boy, I learned early on that your mission was to live life as you believed it should be lived.  You paved your own path and along the way you made sure to keep connected with  family and you surrounded yourself with loyal friends.
 You were always true to yourself. You had this charismatic, magnetic and loving personality that will forever be ingrained in our memories.  
Mijo, the heart to heart talks about God, love and life are the memories I hold most dear. You shared your thoughts, dreams and beliefs about life with me. These talks opened a window for me to see your amazing beautiful soul.
I looked so forward to seeing you along with your brothers raising your families together. I’m so heartbroken. Our time was so short. Yet, I’m grateful to God for the time He gifted us. You are home and safe with Him now. My solace, for the time being, is that I will see you in the sun, moon and stars. I will see you when a bird flies by and I will feel you when a breeze blows through the sky. I will carry you in my heart until I die.  I love you eternally. Momma

Querido Zachary, 
Los momentos que compartí contigo me hicieron quererte mucho y apreciar las platicas que teníamos. 

Siempre voy a tener en mi memoria lo bonito que sentía cuando me decias “hola tía Patty” con aquella sonrisa tan agradable y esos abrazos tan calidos que solo tú sabías darlos. 

Gracias a Dios que no me quede con ganas de decirte que fuiste muy querido para mi. Cierro mis ojos y aun te veo jugando con mis hijos, cuando eran niños. 

Te doy las gracias por la confianza que me tuviste y que me escucharás cuando te daba un consejo. Ahora se que el señor te ha llamado para que estés a su lado gozando de tu presencia.
 
Siento mucho tu partida Zachary pero los mejores momentos los llevaré en mi mente toda la vida.

Dear Beloved Zachary, 

I hope you’re doing well Zachary, resting in the presence of the lord himself, in his peaceful kingdom we call heaven. I remember growing up, we always would run around Tia Nena’s house, playing video games with your brothers and overall having a great time. Though we didn’t share a lot of time together, I am grateful for having to spend time with you during the holidays with the family. 

A memory I’ll always have with you is I remember when I was injured when we were playing outside Tia’s house and I scraped my knee, and I was crying in pain but you sat with me all day, comforted me that everything will be okay, you were always very kind to everybody and truly a joy in the family. I’ll always love you, and we all miss you. 

See you soon. 

Much love, 

-Adrian Quinonez

My sweet little Zachy. What a special light he carried around with him anywhere he went. He had one of those genuine souls, that you only come across a few times in your life. I’ll always remember watching Zach and Diego and Jacob and the cousins growing up, play fighting, not play fighting, playing ape escape for hours, climbing that tree at grandma and grandpas house. I still remember dressing him up as baby Jesus one year on Christmas Eve when the cousins put on a play for the adults. He was so small and perfect, the way the savana (sheet) wrapped around his round little head and his golden hair that poked through.  He was the most precious thing ever. And to this day he remains a beautiful soul who impacted so many lives. How I miss his goofiness, his hugs, his dance battles, his energy. I love you Zach, so much. I’ll always keep you close. 

Zachy, my dearest memories of you will always be your warm and loving embrace. In those short lived moments, I was immersed by your love and joy, a feeling that has left a lasting imprint in my heart. ❤️

I will never forget the year I joined my Nenita, Tata, my Madrina Rio, and the boys (Jacob, Diego, and Zachary) to Mexico. It was a blast getting to spend quality time with them and going on fun adventures. On one particular day, I asked the boys for relationship advice. I laugh thinking about it because they were only children back then but they were so wise for their age and my best buddies at the time. I was dating a wonderful man, Carlos (RIP), and I was in the mist of breaking up with him. I was nervous and sad because it was my first time breaking up with a boy (and a great guy). The boys were so supportive, telling me that I’d find someone else some day and that everything will be okay. They joked around and made me laugh to distract me from the situation. After the whole breakup, the boys stayed up waiting for me to tell them all about it and were so proud of me. I never realized until now that I had the best support system ever that day. One of the best parts of that evening was when Zachary dedicated a song to me and my current breakup situation. After telling them about my breakup, Zach right away took a CD or an iPod out and told me to listen to Yellow by Coldplay. Sitting there with the boys and listening to that song was magical. In that moment I felt so comforted, and I knew I was going to be okay. The lyrics in that song resonated so perfectly with me and made me so emotional. I will never forget that moment. 

Since he was a young boy, Zachary had always been so in tune with life, with his emotions and those of others. I am so shocked that at such a young age Zach understood what that song meant to him and the impact it would have on me. I love you Zach!!! You are always in my heart! 
Love your cousin Karina 💜

My memory of Zachary was his sweet beautiful smile and his unique eyes.  I admired how handsome he was. Zachary lit up any room he entered, he was a bright star, had a welcoming personality. He gave great massages with his tender hands. 
The unforgettable gift Zachary shared were his genuine, amazing heartfelt hugs, they will be missed. 
We miss you Zachary, you will forever live in our hearts. 💔

Zack and I grew up like twins. We shared everything wether it be toys, celebrations or rooms. I remember this one particular birthday party at chucks cheese, we had to celebrate both of ours at once. I remember being mad the whole time while Zack was always enjoying it which made me even angrier. I just wish I could go back and change that. Love and miss you Zack. 

Sincerely,
 your brother Diego


Zachary,
I cannot believe that you are gone. We love and miss you so much. You truly were a light that shined oh so bright. You will continue to be a light in my life. I will never forget your amazing smile and infamous hugs. You were always the life of the party and you never failed to bring a smile to my face.  You made me feel so loved and welcomed from the moment I met you. I remember at the wedding you referred to me as your sister, not sister-in-law but your true sister. That meant a lot to me. I am so grateful that we were able to see and spend time with you this year. I will forever treasure the memories we have together. You will continue to stay in my heart and mind. I love you ❤ 

I miss my brother Zachary so much.

One of the last memories we made with each other was when we were driving from my Moms house to Perris so I could go get a haircut for my wedding day. I remember it distinctly because I was driving the Subaru he was using while he was home. I don’t have much experience with stick shift cars, but I told him I wanted to drive it and he said, “Go for it.” Being his older brother I remember I was usually the one to give him advice and teach him about new things when we were kids. However, in this scenario our roles were reversed and he was teaching me. I guess he was paying me back for teaching him how to ride a bike :)  So as we went along our journey I would say I stalled about 4 to 5 times which isn’t pleasant if you have ever experienced it. I may have even ran a stop sign as well. Again, to my defense I had very little experience compared to my younger brother Zack. He was the man. He could do it all. He could definitely drive stick way better than me. I wanted to write about this memory because I know I did a horrible job “driving” us to Perris (if you can call it driving). Yet, my brother never got upset with me, never yelled at me, never discouraged me or told me to trade spots. He let me learn and guided me through the entire driving lesson. After it was over I told him thanks for letting me drive and sorry it was so crappy. He shrugged it off and said “you’re good dude”. “You just need more practice is all. You honestly didn’t do too bad”. I was reminded again that day how caring and cool of a person my brother was.

Thank you Zachary for being my driving instructor that day. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better.

I love you and rest easy.
Your brother Jacob.

When I think of you Zachary I see us playing outside, running in grandmas house getting yelled at  because the house isn’t a playground, throwing rocks at wasps nest and seeing you getting stung and even playing on the old tree  pretending it was a spaceship,  picking up sticks and using them as guns. I really miss our phone calls talking about anything or your crazy stories that sometimes are just so hard to believe. We had a whole lot of fun selling Chorizo and had a hell of a weekend in Las Vegas! But when I really think of you as a person I see an Animal you overcame things and kept pushing forward no matter what got in your way and I look up to you. That was our last phone call we had.  You are the toughest guy I know Zach. I love you and miss you very much!

When I think of Zachary, I think of a loving, daring, outgoing, goofy, gritty character who knew how to put on a smile and make friends regardless of what he was going through—which was a lot, to say the least. He was always unapologetically himself and never feared defending his convictions. Zach cared very deeply for family, and made it known through his actions. To Zachary, family always came first, and I am very proud to have been able to call Zach my cousin, and to have had the experience of loving - and being loved by - someone like him. 
Growing up in close age, Zachary and I have many wonderful memories. Everything from air soft sessions while camping, to late night hangouts and ordering excessive amounts of food and Krispy Kreme donuts, to taking center dance floor, being each other’s wingmen, to throwing elbows in mosh pits at raves and concerts. If Zachary was around, you could be confident something memorable would happen. Two of my favorite memories are when we worked together and had conversations about life, and his speech at Jacob’s wedding. Absolutely unforgettable, cherished moments.
The world lost a young, beautiful soul. We lost a son, cousin, friend. To serve in the Navy was a selfless act that highlights the type of man Zach was growing up to be. Though gone, he is not forgotten. And as long as we speak of and remember Zachary, he is still here with us. 

Rest easy, Zachary, I love you.

Zachary, it is still hard to accept that you are no longer with us, that the light of your eyes was extinguished so soon, but your nino and I will continue to keep your light going in our minds and hearts.  Mijo your nino and I were blessed and honored to have taken you to the sacrament of your baptism on that day you were filled with the Holy Spirit, and your spirit was joyous and adventures, leaping with love to share to world.  Oh how blessed we were to have held you in our arms and kissed your beautiful face, we witnessed you grow up and become a handsome young man, the last time your nino and I saw you we commented on how mature you had become, and God in his infinite love and wisdom knew it was time to take you home.  Zachary you will live in our hearts forever.

P.S. At times I hear Edgar, Isabella and Franco talking about events they shared with you; how you would wrestle with them, make the silliest faces at them and make them giggle. I overheard Isabella asking them with tears in her eyes, “ who will we call “ Monkey Butt” now? You had that special touch in you that knew how to express love through many ways. Thank you for planting happy memories of you in their little hearts. 
You will forever be loved. 

Until we meet again, 
Marisol 

Dearest Zach, 

My first memory of you, you were around 1yr old. Your parents took you up North to visit us. My heart just melted, you were a beautiful baby. Although distance apart,throughout the years, you always received us with an embracing hug and a warm smile, a smile that shone through your eyes. How I wish you were here to give you the same type of forceful hug that you gave that pored so much love and expression. 

Reminiscing the last time you came to visit us,- your last visit prior to leaving to the Navy. Somehow you decided to have Ruben shave your head in my garage. I was livid, what a mess you left behind! A year later and I was still finding blonde stands of your hair between my stored boxes. I can only smile now. 
You left a legacy of memories- your hugs, charming smile, charisma, bold personality, your stance, your voice (Ruben, Efrain and I were blown away when you sang , A Whole New World to us after I shared how much I loved the Aladdin movie.) I can still hear your voice and always will when I hear that song. And let me not forget to add your soothing massages, a massage our tias would call shots on- you had magic hands. 

Zach, thank you for finding time to come visit us. I recently learned you ditched work once to come see us up north. We felt so loved. You amaze me how you had time for all your loved ones. I love how you periodically checked in on us. 
At our last encounter, I shared that we were moving out here. You were so happy for us, we would all finally get to spend more time together as family. 
Well we are are here, and you are gone. My heart aches. My only confort is knowing that you are in a better place. The numerous times I came to visit prior to moving out here, I do not recall seeing so many butterflies soaring throughout Tata and Nenita’s yard and the stars above shining so bright at night as they do today. I know it’s you, you are still checking in on us and making us smile. 

Continued…

My dearest Zachary,
I still have not came to terms that you are gone. I have so many memories of you Zack, mostly when you were a little baby. I loved taking care of you, Diego and Jacob. What made me always laugh was every time I saw you, you would say, “ Hi Nena!! Remember when you would wipe my butt?” The last time so saw you, at Jacobs wedding, you again started that conversation with the butt wiping, then you asked me if I was happy now?If I was truly happy? I looked at you and said, “The happiest I’ve ever been!” You said “Good! Seeing you happy makes me happy!” You then gave me a huge hug and told me you loved me and I said I love you too. I regret not taking a picture with you that night. But my heart is happy knowing my last words to you were “I love you” I’ll miss you forever my Zackees. Till we meet again.

Going to parties, family events, or even small gatherings at grandmas house I was always excited and looked forward to see Zachary. It’s crazy looking back to see how much I looked up to him, and I still do. Hanging out with the older group of cousins was always a challenge for me.  To the older cousins I was too young so I was never really allowed to hang out with them. I understand now that I’m older but it definitely made me feeling outcasted at the time. Even though majority wouldn’t include me Zachary would always be the one to come out and talk to me to see how I was doing. He was the one to really invite me to the places they would go to or to let me come in the rooms they would be chilling in. He made me feel more appreciated and special. We would have deep conversation’s or he would just effortlessly make me laugh with silly faces or just dumb jokes, either way he never failed to put a smile on my face. It is still very hard for me to process any of this but I’m accepting the fact that this is gods plan. I know you’re up in heaven my Sweet loving Zachary singing and dancing with the angels. I’m so happy the last time I saw you I able to receive your magical hugs. Thank you for having my back and being there to protect me, you were definitely more like a brother than a cousin and each time I look at the stars I’ll always think of you. 

Zach, where do I begin you are my best friend, in this life and the next. I remember like it was yesterday we met, It was Jose who called me and asked if his friend could come over, you were that friend. I said yeah of course,  that was one of the best decisions of my life. I made a life long best friend that day. I’m going to miss you like crazy Zach, from the late night(on your end seeing there was a time difference) FaceTimes talking about how dirty your old roommate was and how much weight you were gaining. I’m going always remember and cherish the deep conversations we had about everything wrong with the world. I’m going to miss your hugs, laughter, jokes, loving compliments, and funny personality. I will always love you Zach as one of my best friends, in this life and the next. I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to go see you off into the next life Zach, but I will see you again. I constantly look back at our good memories and cry because I won’t be able to make more memories with you, but I will always cherish the ones we have. I wish I could write more, write all there is that I love about you Zach, but I cry as I write this and I know if I continue I will be wallowing in tears. You always said the tears weren’t worth it, but these tears are worth every drop for you Zach. I love and miss you babes!!! Always and for eternity my love, I love you ✨❤️

Zachary, it is incomprehensible that you’re gone. It feels like you were just tagging along on all of my dates (not my choice). Remember when you kept punching me no matter how many times I told you to stop, so I punched you and made you cry? You deserved it (although now it makes me cry). 
I have always hated being touched but you always managed to lay riiiiight next to me (especially during scary movies), stinky feet and all. Of course, now I look back and it’s painful to see how many of those moments were taken for granted. You always were a lover and you were so forgiving. I’m going to miss your laugh, your soft tummy, your golden skin and your dancing. You were the life of any party and seriously always have been (yours and Diego’s dance battles). 
I love you Zachary (uncle Zachary to your nieces). I’m so thankful to have gotten to be your (step) sister. I wish I could have seen the man you would become. 
Love, Amber
P.s. Aubree says she loves you & Sophia says some nonsense I don’t understand. 
(The picture is from the last time we went hiking, before you left for the military. It means a lot to me because of how optimistic the future was for you at that point.)

Zack, there’s a piece of my heart missing without you. You brought so much joy and love to our lives. So much laughter too! You really were my little brother. You completed our family. Remember when you teased me for crying when I saw you at the wedding? I was so excited to see your face and hug you- all you could do was hug me back and say don’t cry yet, don’t ruin your makeup! You teased me all night with the cowardly lion cry that we always did. I know you knew that you were loved so so much. Thank you for calling. Thank you for taking the time to think of your AZ family. I promise to love like you did- so authentically and unconditionally. I promise to keep saying your name and talk about all our good times. You are forever in my heart. I love you Zack!! 

Zack
We love and miss you so much! We will miss the adventures and jumping cliffs at slide rock and eating creamed corn.  Our hearts are forever broken. Andon and Rylan  both adopted your style and like for floral shirts. Ry wants to pierce his ears like you and will continue to pump weights for that arm wrestle in heaven. Bree will miss having another brother around to protect her. Joel and I miss our convo’s with you. We are so proud of you and love you so much!!!!! 
Forever in our hearts! 

Zachary,
I'm so lost for words....when I heard what happened, I was speechless. You were so kind, funny, sweet and loved from everyone ❤ 
As a step sister im proud of a man you became♡ I remember when we were kids we would always play video games together, including your brothers♡
I know our parents are no longer together and we moved on from our lives. Some point we were a family and I'll forever cherish our memories together. You weren't just a step brother to me, you're my little brother♡
I love you little brother♡ I missing you a little extra these past few days. I'll see you soon

Zacky, Our little Golden boy. Since the day you came into this world with your golden brown/ blond hair and light eyes, you have been a great joy in our lives. Your presence was always special to me whether it be a family gathering or you coming over to the house to visit and have some of your Tia Cristina’s awesome pancakes. Thank you for the picture you brought us, We have it here on the table. Thank you for considering me as someone you could look up to, I’m so glad I was there. I wish we could’ve done more mijo, like that unforgettable trip to Vegas before you left. Sadly Cristian broke the number 1 Vegas rule and spilt the beans to your mom. It’s okay though, Cristian, Jr.  and I will cherish that moment forever. Zacky, my heart is broken as so many others you’ve left behind, but Gods will is to have you there with Him and I accept it. I am thankful to Him for the time with you in this life.  I will miss you always, Dackeee! 😞

Zachary “papas” 
Thank you for being an amazing person whom I have had  the pleasure to love.  I didn’t have sons, so I was blessed to love “wonderful you”. 
I am so proud of you !!!!   I’m so proud of the Love you have for Jesus,   I’m proud that Jesus is your Lord and savior, I’m proud that you have a heart of worship;  and now your worshiping with the Angels in Heaven.  

I’ll miss our hugs, smiles and laughs  but I have peace knowing your in Heaven dancing and worshiping the Lord God almighty.  

I’ll miss our Christmas lotería time eating, tamales, albóndigas and pan dulces;  but knowing your in Heaven for eternity is peace to my soul.  

Bee and I got you the same thing every Christmas (a treasure box of socks) so where ever you feet went you would be blessed.  Stripped socks,  Spider-Man socks,  Elf socks,  you liked them all, you sported them with your Vans.   “Got my Vans on but they look like sneakers”  
 
“Papas” the light 🔥 shineth in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it . Rest at ease in the Glory of the Lord 🌺  We see u in the clouds. ☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️


Zachary, I’m so glad I got to spend time with you at my 21st birthday party and get all these different pictures with you. I’ll never forget your extremely tight hugs and you not letting go until I beg you to lol, and you always trying to mess around with me until I mess around back and you tell me stop. You had seen me for the first time since you left to virgina and showed me the muscles on your arms and I showed you mine and you were so shocked and told me damn oli I think our arms are the same now 😂
I love you Zack and I’ll see you again one day cousin Rest Easy… 

Oh my Zack, I remember the first time I met you at Tres Jalapeños…. That twinkle in those beautiful eyes and that mischievous smile…. Zack you came into my life and became one of mine. You accepted the love we gave you and adapted to our family, thank you for that. I will cherish all the great family memories that we shared…...your hugs I will definitely miss….  Your smile and the way your eyes would crinkle  … so handsome ❤️ Until I see you again my Zach ❤️

Zackary,
            You were and always will be my baby boy, this is not what I’m supposed to do…. A father should never have to do this, but as you and I always said to each other, It is not for us to understand, but to have faith and believe in Him…..

              The only thing keeping me strong son is the simple fact that you were a born again Christian, not of works, or rituals, Jesus gave you a gift and you accepted it…

              I don’t understand why son, but I believe I will see you again. I believe you are in heaven. I believe that when the day comes for me to leave this world you will greet me at the gate, until then I’ll be missing them HUGE hugs you give, Where the pain and suffering are no more…

               You ran a great race son, and like I always told you… I’m just soooo proud of you. YOU WON THE RACE SON!!!! You are in heaven, with grandma, the weasel and countless others… 

               So to you “ My beautiful baby boy “ I will never say goodbye 
We will see you when my race is done……………………………………………



Zachary, since you were in diapers you stole our hearts! Watching you grow into a man has been my greatest victory, watching you go is my greatest defeat. I will always cherish the times we shared together, our long talks, the many laughs, and oh so many tears, and on occasions - a scream or two 😆.  
For years you brought Joy to all those around you and for that I'm grateful, to love you is to know you and I know you as my son. From skateboards to girls to teaching you how to drive to an Adult and now Navy Veteran you've blessed us in so many ways. 
Your AZ family loves you mijo, and you knew that bc thru thick and thin we were with you as we are today. You entered this world and touched our lives, you entered eternity and forever will it changed us. 
My heart is crushed but my love and joy for you lives on forever! 
Until we meet again 🙏

All my love!
Tio

PS - tell Jesus to bring the rain!


Zach was my shipmate roommate and friend. Some of the different thing we would get into was  longboarding and skating around the community or Fort Monroe, shirtless of course. Gonzalez was always proud to show off his hard work. In fact we worked out on this base numerous times at Shellbank fitness center.  One of our most memorable workouts was doing a burpee challenge in late April. At first it was for a shirt, then it became a competition between him and I. For two mins straight Gonzalez motivated me. I’m proud to say we destroyed it. I wasn’t the only person Gonzalez motivated that day. An airman came in after us and Gonzalez stayed to cheer and encourage the airman as though he was her friend. That’s what type of man Gonzalez was.

Zachary, I am so thankful I was able to see you one last time at Olivia’s 21st birthday.  You told me all about your adventures in the navy and I told you how proud I was of you for your service. I remember thinking little Zach is not so little anymore because you changed so much since the last time I saw you. You truly shined so bright that night and am in disbelief that you are no longer here with us. I love you and I will miss you cousin. You’ll forever be in my heart. 

The Lord didn’t bless me with sons, instead he sent me Zac.. Zac, you showed me unconditional love, you had a heart of gold, you were so giving, happy, sensitive, caring, forgiving.. I will forever have a hole in my heart with you gone.. my only comfort is that I will see you again one day.. 💔💔💔 I love you Zac!! 

🕊️ I will always remember Zachary's great hugs,laugh and our long talks. I love you mijo! You will forever be in my heart! Rest in peace!🕊️

Zach, I love you so much cousin. I’m still in disbelief that you are no longer here with us but I know you are in a better place. I miss your tight hugs & your beautiful smile. There’s so much I want/could say but I’m at loss for words. I’m so sorry Tio Ted & Tia Christina & to all Zach’s siblings. I continue to pray for you guys because I can’t even imagine the pain you feel.  Rest Easy Zach🙏🏽💙

Zach, my cousin. I remember we all grew up together. We would all hang out and I would watch you, my brother, and my other cousins skateboard during that skater-boy era. 

You were always so full of life - you were always talkative, outgoing and never negative.  I remember you were one of the few guys who liked to dance with us at our family parties.

I will always regret not going to Cristina's house for Jacob's wedding celebration.  What I wouldn't give to see you one last time and give you a long hug ..

Just know you live on through all of your loved ones. We all love you. I'm so proud  of you for being in our country's Navy. I wish I could tell you that.

Beautiful Zach, Im grateful for our last conversation, our last run to be..you were happy and confident. I was so happy to listen and hear about your growth and progress  that you made. Thank you for being the life of every family event.. for going out of your way to make everyone feel loved and appreciated. Your beautiful soul, that contagious smile and sparkle in your eyes will be missed. 
 

We weren’t brothers by blood but I felt like you were my little brother when we met and you were a little boy. Zachary you offered a bedroom for me when I didn’t have one and you offered your bed you stayed up late talking to me and hung out with me when I had no one to talk to. You’ve always helped me out and It’s heart breaking James only met his uncle once. The last time we spoke was at Jacob’s wedding we didn’t talk much because I thought I’d see you again soon but you were happy to be almost out and we’d hang out and I’d take you to Disneyland with my family. I regret not hugging you longer and taking a picture with you. I love you and I miss you everyday I wish you were still here. I’m sorry 

OBITUARY

Zachary Louis Gonzalez

September 10, 1998 – July 23, 2021

Draper Mortuary

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