Santiago Gonzalez

Santiago Gonzalez passed away on Friday, June 24, 2016 at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville.  He was born in Adela, Cuba, February 12, 1940 to the late Martin and Ramona(Martinez) Gonzalez.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jeanine (Sanders) Gonzalez; his daughter Linda and her husband Kerry Thompson of Green Acres, Florida; his sister Obdulia Arce of Miami, Florida; his two grandsons, Allan McDonald, and Paul Kemp and his wife Laurie; his one granddaughter Casey Sofka and her husband Jason; his two great-grandsons, Jacob Kemp and Shane Sofka and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and scores of friends.

In addition to his parents Santiago was preceded in death by three brothers, Jesus, Jose, and Francisco.

After coming to this country in 1962, he worked many years in several hotels in the Ft. Lauderdale/Boca Raton area and later he and a good friend owned and operated a lawn maintenance business in Pompano Beach.  In 2006 he retired and with his wife Jeanine they built and made their home in Citrus Springs.  He loved Citrus County and soon became an avid horseshoe pitcher and joined the Citrus Springs Horseshoe Club as well as the Beverly Hills Club.   He loved baseball and followed the Marlins from their beginning.  He was also a season ticket holder for the Miami Dolphins for 25 years. Santiago was a truly good and kind man and was loved by many and will be missed by all that knew him.

In lieu of flowers his family prefers donations be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.