Silvestre F. Gonzales

Silvestre F. Gonzales passed away on February 29, 2012, peacefully, in Pasco, Washington, at the home of his daughter, Edna Medina. He was eighty-one (81) years old at the time of his death. Services will be held on Friday, March 2, 2012, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moses Lake, Washington. All are invited to join the family at 1:00 pm in remembrance of Silvestre, and a Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 2:00 pm. A reception to celebrate Silvestre's life will be held at the Moses Lake Event Center at 4:00 pm, 1475 E. Nelson Rd. Bldg C (campus of Moses Lake Christian Academy). Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory in Moses Lake.

Silvestre was born December 31, 1930, in Crystal City, Texas to Higinio Gonzales and Aurora Flores. He was raised in Crystal City, Texas and later moved to San Antonio, Texas where he married Antonia H. Gonzales on December 1, 1947. They were blessed with seven children, and moved to the Moses Lake area in 1960, where they continued to raise their family.

His career as a truck driver afforded him the opportunity to see much of the United States. He enjoyed many things including car shows, restoring old cars, going to swap meets, listening to Tejano music, and watching wrestling and the Mariners baseball team. He never lost his love for returning to his hometown in Texas where he frequently visited his many relatives still living there. Above all his favorite thing to do was spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he truly lived for them!

He is survived by his spouse Antonia H. Gonzales; Sons (daughter-in-laws) Rudy & Janet Gonzales, Armando & Kathy Gonzales, Silvester & Stephanie Gonzales; Daughters (son-in-laws) Adelina Gonzales, Edna & Gilberto Medina, Silvia Gonzales; also Cecilia & Mark Lam, and Cassandra Gonzales, grandchildren that Silvestre and Antonia raised since they were children. In total he was blessed with 21 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by father Higinio Gonzales; mother Aurora Flores; Sister Amparo DeLaCruz; Daughter Rosemary Gonzales; Grandson Raul Gonzales Jr.; and Granddaughter Raquel Gonzales.

Silvestre is loved as a dad, husband, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend, and will be remembered for his constant joking around, his tremendous generosity, and his forgiving and loving heart. Thank you for touching our lives in such a remarkable way and for the unforgettable memories we will treasure in our hearts forever! Rest in peace, we love you!