Claudio J. Gonzalez, 77, also known as “Junior" by his family, of Seal Beach, California and Marlboro, New Jersey passed away December 2nd, 2022. He was born on October 23, 1945, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As a young child, he relocated with his family to the United States in 1950 and settled in New York City. His middle school years were in Chelsea, New York City, New York where he met his lifetime friends and called themselves “The Chelsea Family.”
He would often tell stories of his days when he worked at his friend’s family-owned fish market. He excelled academically and enjoyed playing chess, playing instruments and was an altar boy. He graduated Xavier Military Academy in 1965. He then attended the ROTC program at Fordham University and graduated with a BS in Business Administration. At that time, he was also inducted into the Army as a First Lieutenant. He met the love of his life, Lilliam, while attending Fordham in May of 1969. Post-graduation, he went to bootcamp training in Georgia and then was called to active duty in Vietnam in September, 1969. He was given honorable discharge in the winter of 1970 due to severe injuries sustained while fighting in jungle combat. He earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for jungle warfare.
After returning from Vietnam, he and Lilliam happily married on May 28th, 1972. They settled in Northern New Jersey and had three daughters before moving to Manalapan, New Jersey. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who shared his love of life with his family with many family events and travel. He loved watching sports, particularly the New York Mets and New York Giants.
He was devoted husband and cared for Lilliam until her passing in 2014. In 2015 he relocated to Seal Beach, California. While living in Seal Beach, Claudio had many hobbies and interests such as dancing and listening to Latin music, was involved in many social clubs, and enjoyed volunteering at his local theater group.
He was predeceased by his parents, Juan and Concesa Gonzalez and his wife Lilliam Gonzalez. His is survived by his sister Cathy, and her husband Mark of Hazlet, New Jersey, three daughters, Jennifer Cook and her husband Jeff of Ocean, New Jersey, Christine Scott and her husband Jeff of Long Beach, California and Tracey Selvaggio and her husband Cameron of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Ryan and Justin Cook, Mackinley, Lilliana and Rosemarie (Roma) Scott and Cooper Selvaggio, two nieces Cassie Rogin and her husband David of Middletown, Delaware and Joann Wolferman of Brooklyn, New York and his great-nephew, Matthew Rogin. He is also survived by his loving dog, Lady.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service in his honor at the Mortuary on Thursday, December 8th from 10-11. A formal service with private interment with full military honor will be held at a later time.
