Matias Gonzales Rodriguez, "Matt" was born in Guadalajara, Mexico on March 13, 1928. He started working at the age of 6 taking care of cattle. At the age of 10 Matias collected firewood and clay from the mountain sides to sell in the villages to help support his family.
At the age of 16 he and his family moved to Tijuana, Mexico. In Tijuana he worked in general construction. At 20 years of age he met and married his wife Elvira. When he was 21 years of age he started to work as an aviation mechanic and did this for 9 years.
In 1957 Matias and his family moved to Northern California where he started a new career as a sheet metal worker and welder. In 1967 Matias once again relocated his family to San Diego, California. Matias started his new job with Rohr Industries as a construction "rough grader". Matias retired from Rohr Industries after 25 years.
Matias leaves a legacy of 6 children; 4 sons and 2 daughters, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
