Raul & Alicia Gonzalez
Obituary
Name: Raul Gonzalez
Born: September 14, 1936 in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Died: May 4, 2022 in Yountville, California
Age at time of death: 85
He was one of seven children and was born on September 14, 1936 to Esperanzo Gonzalez and Santos Vega in Ponce, Puerto Rico. As a young boy he was an altar boy in the Roman Catholic Church until he attended a local evangelistic series held in town and at the age of 16 was baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) faith. He studied at Bella Vista Hospital in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico where he obtained the credential of a Licensed Practical Nurse. He married Alicia (Soto-Arocho) Gonzalez on May 18,1958 at the Iglesia Adventista del Septimo Dia in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. At the age of 22 he moved to the United States in January of 1959 with his wife, who was three months pregnant with their oldest son Ivan, and they traveled by Greyhound Bus from Miami to San Francisco, California. He desired to study for the ministry at Pacific Union College located in Angwin, California. He learned English while working at the Angwin College Bakery. He attended Pacific Union College and he and Alicia had two more sons, Elvin and Raul “Kevin”. He completed the nursing program at Santa Rosa Community College and practiced nursing at Imola State Hospital. During this time he returned to school at Pacific Union College to complete his Bachelors degree in Theology. In 1973 he moved his family to Berrien Springs, Michigan in order to attend the Seventh Day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. While at Andrews University he was sent by the Michigan Adventist Conference to Detroit to plant and pastor the first SDA Spanish Church. Prior to graduating with his Masters in Divinity from Andrews University in 1977, he was sent to Lansing, Michigan where he planted and pastored the first Spanish SDA church. Both churches continue in operation today. In 1985 he relocated to New Mexico where he pastored several Spanish churches including the Santa Fe, Dixon, Tres Piedras, and Albuquerque SDA churches. In 1996, he subsequently relocated his family to San Fransisco, California where he pastored both the San Francisco and Daly City Spanish SDA churches until his retirement in 2013.Upon retirement he relocated to Yountville, California with his wife. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, three brothers (Pedro and Alfredo, Raulito) and two sisters (Magui, Lucy). He is survived by his youngest brother, Angel (Ana Ivette) Gonzalez from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico and his three sons, Ivan (Elsa) Gonzalez, Elvin (Bonita) Gonzalez and Kevin Gonzalez. He has six grandchildren, Elmer (42), Alex (40), Amante (27), Talisa (25), Steven (35), Cecily (32).He has seven great grandchildren, Lily (12) Adeline (10), Idalys (15), Adamari (12), Yanelli (10) Jada (10), Adam (8).Funeral services officiated by Pastor Jose A. Diaz, will be held on May 16, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the St. Helena Seventh Day Adventist Spanish Church. His interment will occur following the funeral service at the St. Helena Cemetery in St. Helena, California.
Name: Alicia Gonzalez
Parents: Juan Soto & Maria Arocho de Soto
Siblings: Emma, Gilberto, Benjamin, Benny, Alicia, Jocabeth, Loida, Ruth
Birthplace: Hatillo, Puerto Rico
Raised in: Arecibo & Mayaguez, Puerto RicoSchools Attended: Eugenio Maria de Hostos High School in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Earned CNA at BellaVista Hospital in Mayaguez. Earned RN at Santa Rosa College.
Married on: May 18, 1958Married at: Seventh Day Adventist Church in Mayaguez
Married to: Raul Gonzalez
Children: Ivan Orlando Gonzalez, Elvin William Gonzalez, Raul Kevin Gonzalez
Grandchildren: Joey Gonzalez, Alex Gonzalez, Amante Gonzalez, Talissa Gonzalez, Cecily Gonzalez
Great Grandchildren: Idalis, Adamari, Yanelli, Lilly, Adi, Jada, Adam, Ayla
Occupation: Worked as a psych tech at Imola Hospital in Napa, CA and as a Registered Nurse until retirement in 2000.
Hobbies: Read, walk, Serve the Community, Pray and visit with shut-ins, share the Word of God with everyone, Bible Instructor in the church and community. I enjoyed listening to relaxing Christian music, which always brought me peace and comfort.
Denomination Affiliation: born in a Seventh day Adventist home and was Adventist all her life.
Favorite Text: Revelation 21 & 22 “Nos veremos junto al Rio”
Favorite Hymn:
a) Hasta Entonces – “Until Then”
b) Cuando Alla Se Pase Lista – “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”
Discipleship: My husband and I planted churches and taught and trained new members in all the positions. Contributed to various ministries of the SDA church, including 3ABN, Amazing Facts, It Is Written, and World Missions such as ADRA and Maranatha.
Family Memories: My favorite pastime was growing up in the rural areas and mountains of Puerto Rico; walking and running, eating fruits right from the trees with all of my brothers and sisters. I learned at a young age to be independent and take care of my responsibilities as a daughter and student. I felt more connected to and appreciated by my father because we had mutual respect and trust. I learned to put the needs of others before myself. Giving to, and helping others, was always a joy for me. I especially enjoyed talking with my kids about their lives and their support and love. I also enjoyed being with my sisters and extended family and am grateful for their love and support.
Circumstances of Illness and Death: from 2001 on was battling cancer until the end, but God always gave me strength and gave me many years of remission. I was able to enjoy the accomplishments of my sons and their families – their education, beautiful homes, wives and kids. I also enjoyed my 20 plus years of retirement in the beautiful tourist town of Yountville. I will be buried at the St Helena Cemetery.