Vince Gonzalez, 79, of Nampa passed away November 22, 2020 after a long illness. He was born in Weslaco, Texas, November 3, 1941., He moved to Fresno, California with his family in 1953. Vince graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1961 and attended Fresno City College in Fresno before joining the U.S. Navy in 1963. His service included duty at Lemoore NAS in Hanford, California, and a tour of duty on the USS Oriskany in the South China Sea. Vince was a veteran of the Vietnam war. Aviation was his first love. After service in the Navy, Vince was employed by World Airways in Oakland, CA as an aircraft mechanic., He later worked for Hawke Duster in Modesto, CA as a crop duster mechanic. In 1975, he moved to Kenai, AK, with his family, where he worked for Kenai Air Service as a helicopter mechanic along the Alaska Pipeline, and then for Unocal on an offshore oil platform as a Supervisor, where he retired in December 1999 and moved to Nampa, Idaho. Vince loved golf and was a member of Senior Golf at Centennial Golf Course. He was an avid member of the Civil Air Patrol, retiring as a Major after 40 years of service in Kenai, AK and Nampa, ID. Vince is survived by his wife of 52 years, Karen Gonzalez; his son Brian Gonzalez (Scarlett); daughter Robin Piccione (Chad Dickerson); son Casey Gonzalez; granddaughter Taylor Piccione; grandson Jacob Piccione; and granddaughter Ciara Gonzalez. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters: Margarito, Domingo, Carlos, Juanita, Nora, Oralia, Mana Louisa, Gloria, Anadelia, Maria de Jesus; and many numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank St. Luke's Home Care and Hospice for their exceptional and compassionate care. Due to current Covid-19 restrictions and at Vince's request there will be no formal services at this time. High Flight Oh, I've slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on higher silvered wings Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared... John Gillespie Mager, Jr
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