Jose "Bernie" B. Gonzales

Jose B. Gonzales “Bernie” was born on November 30, 1946 in Taos, NM to parents Estefanita and Victoriano Gonzales Sr.  Bernie was the 3^rd youngest of 14 children, and raised in Penasco, NM, where he met his wife, Rose Sanchez. Bernie found work at Magma Copper Mine in San Manuel, AZ and rooted his family to Tucson, AZ in 1969.  He worked at Magma until the mine shut down in August 1999. He then worked for Catalina Foothills School District for an additional 10 years before he finally decided to retire. Bernie has always been a hard worker, from his childhood when he worked up in the mountains with his father, up until he passed.  He loved sharing memories of how he met his “beautiful green-eyed girl” at the Acapulco dance hall in Penasco and how his parents asked Rose’s parents for her hand in marriage for him. Bernie and Rose shared a beautiful love story. Bernie was always ready for a new adventure; he loved to travel and to go on vacations with his Rosie at his side. He loved spending time with his family and soccer family.  He enjoyed his grandchildren, great grandchildren and always wanted to be around his family, whether it was just to get together to have breakfast or to have a weekend barbeque and bonfire at his daughter’s home, which was known as the “Gonzales Ranch”.  He was an amazing man, full of pride and a humble soul, and he had such a caring, loving heart.  They just don’t make men like him anymore.  

He is preceded in death by his daughter Evangeline C. Gonzales, his parents Estefanita and Victoriano Gonzales Sr, brother Eustaquio Gonzales, sisters Ramona Lopez, Alicia Martinez, brothers Jose E. Gonzales “Chacho”, Juan Gonzales, Victor Gonzales Jr, sister Carlota Gonzales, brother Michael Gonzales, mother and father in-law Antonio G. and Lydia Sanchez, brothers in-law Peter Sanchez, Lawrence I Sanchez Sr, and Tony J. Sanchez. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Rose Gonzales, his daughter Dorothy Gonzales, grandchildren Patricia Gonzales (Noel Ramos Jr), Crystal Triste (Edgar Gomez), Angel Triste and Noah McFarlane, great grandchildren Isaac Ramos, Elizabeth-Rose Gomez, Noel Ramos III and two more on the way, godson Lawrence I Sanchez Jr, sisters Rosa Garcia, Otilia (Ike Polaco), brothers Ermo (Liz) Gonzales, Liberato (Josie) Gonzales and Lawrence (Cecilia) Gonzales, brothers in-law Tranquelino Lopez, Joe Martinez, Jerome (Valerie) Sanchez, sisters-in-law Ruth Gonzales, Eva Gonzales, Lolly Sanchez, Mary Sanchez, Cheryl Sanchez , Tiofila Gonzales, many nieces and nephews and numerous friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 13^th, at Martinez Funeral Chapel located at 2580 S. 6^th Ave in Tucson, AZ from 8:00 am-11:30 am.  Only 50 people will be allowed to enter the chapel at one time, so rotations may need to take place (excluding family). Please adhere to Covid guidelines; masks are required and please refrain from hugging Rose during this difficult time for everyone’s health and safety.