Vincente Gonzalez Sr.

Vincente “Vince” Gonzalez, 95, Topeka, Kansas, passed away Monday, August 3, 2020, at the House at Midland Care. Vince was born to Jose and Inez Alfaro Gonzales on April 17, 1925, in Atchison County, Kansas. He grew up and attended school in Nortonville, Kansas. In February 1946, Vincente and Esperanza (Hope) Rojas were united in marriage. Vince was employed as a welder for Santa Fe Railroad, retiring with 42 years of service. Vince was deeply involved in civic affairs including; serving on the Topeka NAACP Council, Topeka Interracial Council, Secretary of Kansas Advisory Council on Civil Rights, Topeka Human Relations Commission, the Mayor’s Citizens Advisory Committee, Chairman of Topeka Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, President of East Topeka Civic Association, President of Ripley Park Advisory Board, Goals for Topeka, and served on the boards of Lafayette Elementary School PTA and East Topeka Day Care Center. Baseball, particularly youth baseball, was of major importance to Vince, who was named to the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame. He was a charter member of the Topeka Baseball Federation and was active in the organization, expanding baseball opportunities for the youth of Topeka in an era when demand was outgrowing the availability of teams and playing facilities. Vince managed and coached youth baseball in the Cosmopolitan League, Babe Ruth League, Connie Mack League, Knights of Columbus Baseball League and later umpired for Knights of Columbus Baseball. Over his span of more than 45 years serving youth baseball in Topeka, he organized, served on the Boards and was instrumental in the success of the Topeka Babe Ruth Baseball League, Topeka Connie Mack Baseball League, Sunflower Stan Musial Baseball League and Tee-Ball League for Knights of Columbus. Vince was a member of Mater Dei Catholic Parish, Knights of Columbus Council No. 534 and the James W. Gibbons Fourth Degree Assembly. Vince leaves to cherish his memory his son, Vincent Gonzales, Jr.; daughter, Lorraine “Lorrie” Gonzales; grandsons, Roger (Theresa) and Brian (Erin) Gonzales; granddaughters, Heather Holloway and Helena Adams; great-grandchildren, Owen, Isaac, Gabriel, Lariha, Elysia, Justice, Bella and Justin; and granddog, Chloe Marie Gonzales. Preceding Vince in death are his wife, Esperanza, his parents, granddaughter, Elena Gonzales and all his siblings, Sophie Gonzales, Phillip Gonzales, William Carl Gonzales, Edward, Gonzales, John Gonzales, Manuel Gonzales, Joe Gonzales, JoAnn Gonzales, Anthony “Tony” Gonzales and Julius “Speedy” Gonzales. Masks and social distancing are absolutely required at all services. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where the Knights of Columbus will lead a rosary at 6:30 followed by the Fourth Degree Chalice Ceremony and a time for family and friends to share memories. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Mater Dei Holy Name Church. Cremation follows with inurnment at a later date in Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to P.A.N.T. – Pet Assistance Network of Topeka and sent in care of the funeral home. P.A.N.T. is an organization to assist pet owners who find themselves temporarily unable to care for their pets due to overwhelming circumstances such as homelessness. This is all part of celebrating Vincente! And in these current times of COVID-19 pandemic requiring social distancing, Vince’s family knows that each presence at his visitation and Mass, each sympathy card, each Mass intention, each condolence, each memorial contribution are all meant as virtual hugs to his beloved family.

Vincente Gonzalez Sr.

April 17, 1925 - August 3, 2020