Life is a journey

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in an attractive and
well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways,
Champagne in one hand - strawberries in the other,
body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and
screaming WOO HOO - What a Ride!"

Gonzaga, in my opinion lived life fully. He cared deeply for his family, his friends and his God. As his once office mate, I know that he spoke 7 languages using many of them at once during phone calls. Gonzaga was often found engaging in intense and emotion filled conversations. He spoke his mind freely and often and loved to share his knowledge and experiences with others. He travelled regularly to exotic places, threw himself into professional activities and teaching, and volunteered for agencies to help the young and people with special needs. Once, on returning from summer break, Gonzaga brought me a scarf from India so I would know a little of his Goa. That was very kind. Alas, Gonzaga has transitioned but to die in Kenya after an african safari seems to reflect the sentiments of the above quote (author unknown) and Gonzaga's spirit. Gonzaga died too young but I truly believe he had a Woo Hoo ride. How many of us can say that? Thanks for that final lesson, Gonzaga.

Linda Rainbow Levine
SJSU-HRTM
San Jose CA

You are sorely missed!

Dr. da Gama, you are sorely missed! Our hearts ache to see your twinkling eyes, and hear your teasing words and hearty laugh. Seldom does one meet a more compassionate and passionate person who knows how to live life to its fullest. The mark of a fine teacher is one who instills in his students the idea that they can make a difference in this world; that they are capable of reaching just a bit higher. You led us by your own example. Thank you for asking more of us; for encouraging us to "dig deeper"; for always listening with an open mind, and for connecting us one to another through your research. We are blessed for having known you. You have truly made a difference in so many lives! And perhaps we can honor you by living our lives as you lived yours: with sensitivity and compassion for others.

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." --Revelation 21:4

With fondness and respect,
Deb Ullmann
San Jose, California

The last 10 days of Gonz’s life with Gonz - Nikhil Da Gama Pais

Where do I start??? What do I say???

In the last 3 days I have seen and experienced how life can turn a complete 180 without one even expecting anything like this.

I am just writing this well and truly from my heart.

Gonz may biologically be my uncle. But only I know that to me he was much more…a father figure to say the least.

My dad works in Kenya. The summer hols in goa my mum and brothers came to visit him but I could not due to my exams in college.

It was when he realized that I would be missing my time with my dad that he decided that he would accompany me to visit him so that I can bond with dad.

We left goa on 19th… we reached kenya.Mombasa that’s where my dad is. He only wanted one thing to do on this trip. Go for an African safari. That was his only wish for this trip. He never asked for anything more.

We spent a lot of time during the day together. Practically the whole day since during the week my dad would work.

He shared a lot of himself with me in these days than I think he had ever done earlier.

Told me all about his earlier days of struggle and what it took him to get to the States and all the hard work that he put in not only to get there but for many years after even getting there.

He never had a godfather to support him anywhere be it in India during his studies or once he reached there. He had lost his dad at the age of 15.the only help and support was from his mum and brothers.

He stood up on his own feet. And stood up the hard way.

He told me all this so that it would motivate me. Make me work hard. Make me go further… push myself a little more.

He would hate it when I would just waste my time either continuously watching sports or just lazing around whenever he used to call from the States.

Now that he had a lot of time to spend with me on a personal level during this holiday he spoke to me at length at times explaining to me how what choices I make now will make a difference in the long run…

He told me so much about his life in the u.s...His life with his room mates, Scottie sharp and Paul baty…

What a difference they had made in his life…how they took turns in taking care of him when he was sick and had a broken shoulder… how they innumerable many times dropped him and picked him from the airport and small things like that.

Listening to him only I could truly tell he loved these guys.

We also opened up about his other friends. paul chen, shu,alfred,ranjan,ines,j.d,,sancho…

Our cousin Maria and her family in Seattle who he had a very special bond with… very very special one…

How all of them were his family away from family…

I thank each and every one of them… some of whom I personally don’t even know…actually most of them…

Many times during this holiday he would take me to facebook and show me all his friends…show me their pictures… tell me all about them… what was special in them… how Scottie loves to work at e-bay…and loves to go skiing. About his car…how Paul was amazing at tennis.

Showed me pics of paul in his tennis kit…and lots and lots more

He was a great motivator. The best I have ever known and his students will agree with me on this. He had more faith in me and my abilities and in my brothers than even I did…

He was like a father to my 2 brothers and me…

I still remember how last year he made so many trips with me to my engineering school when my admissions process was going on… at times he would just sit in the car and wait till it was done or sit by my side and help me remain calm… he dint have to do all this but that was gonz.. the guy who cared to the max…at that time I dint realize it but today when I slowly reflect and try to get myself to accept it I think that he played one of the most crucial roles…

He did small things but important things… he was a guy you could always talk to no matter what the topic was and I experienced it in Africa…

He was most connected with mae.His mum…he always kept adding 2:30 hours to the time in Kenya so that he could think of what his mum would be doing in goa.. Whether she would be sleeping, praying, watching television… he knew it all since he spent almost all day with her… he kept her motivated. Got her puzzles like sudoku and word finders from there so that she could keep her mind working well.

He once mentioned to me this time that the only regret he had was not visiting her more earlier and now he was trying to make up for it by coming as often as possible…

He came 2 times a year without fail in the last 4-5 years.

When she was sick last year he spent around 6 months in goa just being by her side. Never leaving her even once.

He called her 2 times a day every single day without fail irrespective of where he was…

She is in shock… I request everyone to please pray for her…

We went on a 2 day safari together… you could tell that that was the best time of his holiday…. He loved animals…he loved nature… he would describe his experience as one of the best of his life… he had even decided that he wanted to come on another one with his friend Nicholas from Boston if I am not mistaken…

I guess God had other plans for him…

Another unique quality of him was that he always lived in the present. Never thought about the past. Never cared about what happened yesterday. Always looking forward to tomorrow…

He never ever lost his temper… never…

He tried to always look at things from a positive point of view…

He was a true gentleman in all respects…

He left a mark on most people’s lives with whom he came in contact with…

On our way back to India which he was very excited about since he wanted to see Mae dearly we made a one day stop in Nairobi.

On Monday morning he just collapsed in the bathroom…he was literally in my arms… I could do nothing about it. We rushed him to hospital but.

I still remember how we watched a football match together the previous night. u.s.a v/s brazil. It was the confederations cup final… he dint know a lot about football but eagerly was watching it.

We slept together on the same big bed. He even mentioned to me before saying good night- get some sleep nik tomorrow is going to be a crazy night. He said it in relation to our travel the next day i.e. Monday when we were leaving for Bombay since the whole night would have gone traveling and at the airports. From the next morning everything has been crazy but a crazy which cannot properly be described.

After he passed away I opened his wallet to see if I could find some documents which were needed by the authorities instead I found pictures of my brothers and me in there… I guess he loved the 3 of us more than we could ever imagine.

I have just tried to get my thoughts together and write this in memory of the big guy…

I don’t think I will ever be able to recover from this…just taking each day as it comes. No idea what tomorrow will bring… I only know that it’s going to be really really hard…Please pray for the Gama Pais family which is in shock and is devastated…

I apologize for any errors of any sorts be it with names or anything that might be there. I am no writer or anything… just an 18 year old college student who spent the last days of gonz with gonz.

He is up there and looking at us…They say God works in mysterious ways and has His reason for everything… everything that He does is perfect… I am sure it is…

I thank Him for allowing us to enjoy Gonz for the last 45 years…

Like most of you I will never be able to understand why God did what He did…

The sadness and sorrow of his loss will never go away with time…

God wanted him so much that He could not wait anymore….

Thank you Gonz for all the laughter, jokes, motivation, understanding, love, caring and everything that you brought along with you…

No one and nothing will ever be able to replace the relationship we shared… I thank God for giving us this past holiday together which I will never ever be able to forget.

It started right from the lounge at the airport in goa and culminated on Monday morning…

This article may not be good with regards to literary skill and other aspects but is one which has come straight from my heart. I have just spoken out everything what I feel about Gonz. Thank you Gonz. We will always love and remember you.

Nikhil

Goa, India

In honor of my boy GonZAga!

I can’t believe you left this world as such a young man! You were a fireball, you were a thinker, you were outspoken as you always felt free to speak your mind. Together we tried to “push the envelope” and together we tried to create changes that we sometimes thought were impossible. I loved how you think, I appreciated your drive, I admired your sticktuitiveness – You never gave up, you always yearned for more, you had a way of believing things will get better. Your commitment to diversity, in all its shapes and forms, will always be remembered – I could go on. I’ll close by saying I’ll miss your big bear hug – Thanks for everything, our field won’t be the same without you.

Nina S. Roberts, Ph.D.
San Francisco State University

Professor Da Gama

Gonzaga Da Gama was a great professor. He always strived to instill his critical, yet positive and righteous view of the world into the minds of his students. I would not hesitate to call him a passionate idealist who always chose to advocate for the underdogs despite the odds. That was basically his life's mission from how I understand it. Professor Da Gama illuminated many issues often swept under the rug of society and out of the minds of most college students.

He always rewarded hard workers and would time and time again, sacrifice his personal life to assist students professionally. It is because of him I succeeded in grasping many therapeutic concepts and persevered in college. He aided me when I had to pass my certification exam. Because of him I was introduced to the Dean of San Jose State University. He was a great reference if I ever needed one. He time and time again went out of his way to help me personally and professionally. Not so long ago at the Honors Convocation he greeted me warmly and buttered up my parents for me, making doubts of my Recreation major disappear. I was looking forward to working on research with him in the future but that day will never come. I will miss his witty and intellectual satire that made me chuckle.

You will always be somewhere in my mind, and be with me in spirit, keeping me at ease... no, not that kind of spirit. God Bless You, Professor Da Gama. May you rest in peace. Om Shanti.

Love,
Swapan A. Munshi

Tribute to a Wonderful Mentor

Yesterday was a sad day for the SJSU Recreation Department as word of Gonzaga's passing spread. He will forever be in our memories and in our hearts. He truly touched my life. He was a great mentor for me, but more importantly he was my friend. He provided such a wonderful outlook on life and saw me through some of the most difficult times in my college career. We also shared a lot of great times too! His door was always open and whenever I needed him, he was there. He not only cared about my college career, but he cared about my personal well-being and was the constant reminder that I needed to take life one step at a time and ENJOY the journey. It is my belief that the Rec Dept just won't be the same without him. For those of us who knew him, consider ourselves lucky, for we were fortunate to know such a wonderful person. Thank you Gonzaga- I wouldn't be where I am today without you! Sincerely, Jody Spencer San Jose, CA