Joseph Leonard Gonzales

Born at home on a small farm in Avondale Colorado, Joe began his life like few today can even comprehend. He worked the farm right alongside the rest of his family, and used to joke that when it came to the animals they raised for food, they ate “everything but the oink”. Lacking indoor plumbing for most of his childhood, he would fondly recall crumpling up pages from the Sears catalog to use as toilet paper, and would joke about how fancier families had two story outhouses. He would tell that story and then watch as whoever was listening to it pondered what he said, inevitably with a confused look on their face; he would sit there and slyly grin while he waited for them to understand the joke. His early childhood taught him a rugged tenacity, a work ethic that wouldn’t quit, and a sense of humor that couldn’t be quelled. He would keep and live these attributes throughout his life.

At the age of 20 he left the farm and served his country from 1960 to 1966 as a Sailor in the United States Navy, serving aboard the USS Ingersoll in the coastal waters of Vietnam, among other places. Both of his brothers served in the military as well; Oscar was a Marine, while Roger was a Sailor, like him. He would describe his time in the Navy as what a good person should do, serve their country. In addition to his brothers he had two sisters, Madeline and Isabelle, both of whom he loved dearly. As the youngest of five children, there was an age difference of over 20 years between him and Madeline, the eldest. This led to the unique situation in which a number of his nieces and nephews were older than him… yet they still called him “Uncle Joe”.

Joe’s life is a testament to his spirit, exemplified by the fact that well into his 40’s he would, on occasion, hop on random un-saddled horses if he happened upon one in a field, just to go for a quick ride as he would describe it!!

In the days immediately preceding his death Joe had a short hospital stay; on the day before his passing he informed his daughter Rita that he was ready to go home to God. He then timed his departure and mustered just enough energy to get home from the hospital and get seated into his favorite chair, passing only minutes later, because trust me, he was going to leave on his terms. Like a king glad to have returned home after a long journey he sat in that chair for the last time. In hindsight this was the best possible way he could have gone, had he been in the hospital very few people would have been able to say their goodbyes. Instead he was surrounded by his wife and all his children. Random discussions interspersed with weepy bouts as we chatted and said our goodbyes to him. And the whole time he looked like he had just fallen asleep in a room full of family that deeply loved him.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of over 28 years, Trish. He also leaves behind his children Bernadette, Rita, John, Mark, and Cindy, and their children and grandchildren. In addition to his five kids he would raise two children from early childhood who knew no other father, Remy and Bill. In trying to figure out how best to honor that man and all he gave to them, as kids the best they could do was call him “Pops” and hope he knew how much love that nickname was meant to convey; he did.

In accordance with Navy tradition,

on this your final voyage,

we wish you

Fair Winds and Following Seas