Eli
A. Gonzales
Eli A. Gonzales, 68 of Grand Island died Saturday, January 21, 2012 at home with his family by his side.
Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Reverend
Richard L. Piontkowski will officiate. Cremation will take place
following the service with burial of ashes at Westlawn Memorial Park
Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday with a Christian Wake Service beginning at 7 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Home.
Mr. Gonzales was born May 27, 1943 at Grand Island the son of Jose and Susie (Rosales) Gonzales.
Survivors are his children, Jodi and Bob Black of Flower Mound, TX, Carrie and Doug Galvan of Grand Island, Stefanie and Eugene Wenceslao of San Diego, CA, Brian Gonzales of Houston, TX and Tara Gonzales of Grand Island; brothers and sister-in-law, Tom and Barb Gonzales of Buena Park, CA and Bill Ramirez of Lincoln, NE and sisters and brother-in-law, Geraldine Barrientos of Grand Island, Lainie and Ken Kotinek of Grand Island and Bobbie Gonzales of Grand Island.
Those also left to cherish his memory are grandchildren, Anthony and Aaron Galvan, Josh Calhoun, Eli Gonzales and Caitlyn Black. His parents and brothers, Fil and Jimmy preceded him in death.
Eli was raised and received his education in Grand Island. He was united in marriage to Sandra Hansen on September 7, 1961. He worked for Wilson Concrete, Redman Industries, Greer Mobile Homes, Swift and the Grand Island Police Department. He then owned and operated Eli’s Lounge.
He was a member of St. Mary’s, Knights of Columbus, and Grand Island Softball Association and served on the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries.
Eli truly lived life to the fullest. He was very active in sports; whether he was participating or coaching. He also had a great love for music and dancing. Music could be heard playing throughout the house on any given day and he was always willing to show off his dance moves. Eli was charismatic, with a great sense of humor, and you could always count on him for the latest joke. He had an amazing ability to connect with people, and his smile & laughter were infectious. So it comes as no surprise that even after his accident in 1980, Eli’s outlook on life never wavered. He could still be found at the ball field or on the sidelines shouting, “You see one you like, you tag it!” You could still hear music playing in the house, and his wheelchair didn’t keep him from dancing. He left a great impression on his children and grandchildren and taught us all how to make the best out of what life throws at us. He endured many, many struggles the past 31 years, but he fought the good fight with dignity and class. He is loved by countless and he will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers an Eli Gonzales memorial scholarship fund will be
established.