Many of Gonz's friends and all of his family do not know me at all, but I want to say that I believe I am one of the many people, whose lives Gonz has touched. My brother, Paul, met Gonzi in his first year of college at Berkeley, and brought him down to So. Cal. to meet our family. I thought he was a nice guy when I first met him, but little did I know that he would be in our lives for over 20 years after that. Ever since then, I have felt a warm closeness to Gonz and looked forward to seeing him whenever he would join Paul in a visit down to So. Cal. I really did feel like he was a brother to me, and I told him that many times.
There are a few things that I remember the most about Gonz that I want to share. This is how I saw Gonz: He was joyful, serious, contemplative, empathetic, loving, kind, open-hearted, playful, smart, helpful. He was a good listener and really made me feel like he cared about me. For many years, I have struggled with various difficulties in my own life and each time Gonzi would be down in our area for a short visit, no matter how short, he would take a moment between all my kids running around needing my attention, and whatever event he was here for, to ask me sincerely how I was doing. He would sit and really listen and offer up some sound advice if needed, or encouraging words or hugs, or just a listening ear if he felt that's all I needed. He was very intuitive and insightful, brilliantly wise, very giving of himself from the heart, and he really cared.
Recently, I have been struggling with more trials and difficulty in my own life and Gonz has offered to be a listening ear and asked me to call him if there is ever anything I would like to talk about with someone who cares about me. I regret to say I didn't do it. I have thought about him a lot in this most difficult time of my life and thought about calling him many times over the last 6-8 months, but never just picked up the phone to do it. I sincerely regret that and wish that I would have gone with my gut instincts, knowing that he really meant what he said, and called him to talk. Why didn't I do it? I didn't want to bother him with my problems... only to him it would not have been a bother.
When Gonz was here for a visit over the holidays we didn't get much of a chance to talk like we have in the past. We have had 1-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour long conversations, just sitting in a living room over coffee and I really missed that time. I really wish I would have called him Things just got so busy. I really miss Gonzi and I miss the conversation that we would have had. I am very sad that he is gone, but I know that he is in Heaven, a much better place than here. So, my tears are bitter sweet. Here's to Gonzaga! He was a good man and a great friend to many. A great friend to me and my family. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family who are hurting over this tragedy and loss.
Dorothy Borklund
Brea, CA
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