Jack George Gonzalez

Jack George Gaston Gonzalez was born October 26, 1945 in Chalons Sur Marne France to Andrew Augustine Gonzalez & Marcelle Dieudonne Gonzalez. On July 1, 2018 he passed into the eternal, surrounded by family that loved him dearly. He is survived by two children of his first marriage, daughter Lyndsey Gonzalez-Brooks (Corey Brooks) and her two children Max and Genevieve and son Jason Gonzalez; his wife Holly McClure and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who loved him like their own; two step-daughters Rita Distelhorst (Dan Distelhorst), and Linda Bennett (Nate Bennett); grand children Kristin Poole (Bryan Poole), Adam Jent, and Aislinn Sparkman (Eric Sparkman); and four great-grandchildren Audrey and Carter Poole, Ezra Sparkman, and Kellan Jent; two brothers Gene Gonzalez (Barbara Gonzalez) and Danny Gonzalez (Diane Gonzalez); and one sister Bernadette Leggos (Tasso Leggos). As a child Jack pushed himself to overcome the barrier of language to his academics. This drive to make up for this challenge left a love of reading and learning that would persist his whole life. He excelled in athletics, lettering in five sports during high school and gaining a reputation as a formidable opponent, though many still remember him as a gentle giant. His kindness and compassion was unmatched and endeared him to everyone he met while his quick wit and irreverent humor kept all around him smiling and laughing. Jack was patient and accepting, traits that led him to career as a counselor for the State of New York for many years, caring for those most in need. He was always happy to strike up conversation with folks of all sorts, another trait that made him friends wherever he went. He was a lover of science fiction and a movie buff, full of trivia and facts about everything from blockbusters to cult classics. He was also a devourer of books and his passion for Sci Fi writing led him to start a rare book business, first with his brothers and later independently, a business that allowed him to travel to conventions around the country where he was known widely through the community as an expert. Above all, Jack was a family man. In 1998 when he married his wife Holly, his family grew and without hesitation Jack embraced them all as his own. He shared with all his family his heart, his knowledge, and his experience leaving their lives forever enriched. Even through the two years he struggled with brain cancer his primary concern was the health and happiness of his wife and family. The strength and courage he showed during his battle was an inspiration, as was his ability to take advantage of every moment he had to enjoy his family and always bring smiles to their faces. There is no doubt that the memory and legacy of Jack George Gaston Gonzalez will live on with his family and friends through all of time and space. He was a light to the world and all who knew him, one that will be dearly missed.