Ponciano G. Gonzalez

November 19, 1930 – February 12, 2022

Ponciano Gonzalez, a remarkable man with a great love of life and family, passed away peacefully, at the young age of 91 on Saturday, February 12th, surrounded by his large family. His many friends and family will remember him as a generous and kind soul who spent a lifetime helping others.

Born in Agujita, Coahuila, Mexico he came from humble beginnings as he and his beautiful bride Amparo dreamed of making a better life for themselves and their family--which he achieved. He was a man of many talents and in Mexico was a groundskeeper, a surveyor, and a waiter, till he learned to cook and eventually owned his own restaurant. Amparo found work and journeyed to San Antonio, TX. Later, with the help and sponsorship of Judge Anees Semaan and his wife Stella, he and Amparo brought their 7 children and 1 on the way to the USA with great pride to start a new life.

In San Antonio, he had many jobs. He was a jack of all trades and became a Master Welder spending over 25 years with Acme Iron Co. Always working tirelessly to improve life for his family, he bought a big duplex which he turned into a large single-family home for his 8 children. Self-taught and fearless about taking on any project he did all the remodeling himself with help from friends and family. He was an auto-mechanic, roofer, carpenter, plumber, did all levels of construction, adding rooms and repairing his house to become a loving home for 5-generations of the Gonzalez family and their many friends.

A devout Catholic, he had a profound faith, with God, family and community as the anchors that sustained him. He belonged to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish for over 60 years where he and his family devoted many hours volunteering. Even as he struggled to make ends meet, he graciously shared all he had and was well-known as a gracious host. He has helped countless friends and families from his old hometown make San Antonio their hometown. All of them and their entire families stayed at the Gonzalez home for as long as needed. The old saying “Mi casa es su casa” was lived daily by Ponciano and Amparo their entire lives. He has more “Compadres and Comadres” than he has family with weekend gatherings for Baptisms, Confirmations, Birthdays, Wedding receptions “the norm” at the Gonzalez home. He loved parties and he loved to dance. He loved music, boxing, soccer, lucha libre, novelas and he loved life and loved people.

He is reunited with his beloved Amparo, and his son Victor who preceded him to eternal life. He is survived by his children, Juan Diego, Lupe, Amalia, Martha, Carmen, George, Janie, their spouses; (21) grandchildren, (33) great grandchildren, (2) great-great grandchildren, and Ponciano and Amparo’s closest life-long friends Hector and Mary DeLaRosa. His legacy will continue through his children and the love they have for him will always be in their hearts.

Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Hwy. San Antonio, TX 78218, public visitation 6 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 24. Funeral mass 10 a.m. Friday, February 25 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 3107 St. Mary’s St. San Antonio, TX 78212, interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Gonzalez family.