Dr. Gonzaga da Gama Memorial Celebration @ SJSU

The Department of Hospitality, Recreation & Tourism Management and College of Applied Sciences & Arts at San Jose State University would like to invite you to a memorial celebration of Dr. Gonzaga da Gama’s life on Friday August 28th.

Date and Time: Friday, August 28 at 4pm

Location: SJSU campus, Engineering Building 189 (ENG 189)

Parking: Lot 4 on 10th and San Antonio

For additional information on the event and parking see www.sjsu.edu/hrtm/gonzaga_memorial

Remembering Gonzaga one month later

I can hardly believe it has been one month today since that fateful morning when I learned the tragic news of Gonzaga's passing. In some ways it seems like just yesterday when suddenly and by no choice of my own the course of my life would be forever changed. Life as I knew it would never be the same. No longer would I greet him returning home late at night, weary from his day, to a darkened apartment except for the light coming from my laptop screen as I work at the dining room table. Lights would stay low and voices hushed out of respect for his sleeping parakeets and my canary Elvis. "Hey Gonzster!" I would say. And he would muster a tired "Hello" in return. Then he would offload his heavy bookbag into his room and return to the kitchen to prepare the dinner he had invariably skipped due to meetings and classes earlier in the evening. At first glance his curt reply and tunnel vision path to the kitchen might be construed as an unwillingness to talk to anyone. But I had learned that Gonz always had energy to connect with his loved ones. After the rest of us would have long exhausted our store of words to share and spent our patience to listen, he could still come alive at the slightest opportunity for a meaningful, encouraging, challenging interaction. I had only to venture into the kitchen and extend myself to him and he would welcome the engagement, ask how my day and life were, celebrate my victories and admonish me when he perceived me deviating from the optimal course for my life and dreams. With gratitude I reflect on countless occasions when I tested this truth about him and benefited from his wise counsel and loving, supportive friendship. And I grieve the loss of the special gift he was to me, irreplaceable in his unique combination of insight, care, wit, and availability.

But sadly it also seems like so long ago since his passing. So many activities, events, family drama, and just the routines, work, and progress of daily life have eagerly replaced any time I would have spent hanging out with and talking with the Gonzster. I realize this is not all bad and it is one way that I heal from pain of deep loss and mourning. But I cannot deny that I am the man I am today due in no small part to the friendship I enjoyed with Gonz over the past 20 years and especially living as his housemate these past 7 years. His values, principles, wisdom, and personality had guided me during our times together and now have new life as part of me in his absence. When I volunteer my time to serve at foster kids' camp I carry Gonz' spirit to champion the marginalized and fringe members of society. I remember him in this activity and so his memory is not lost on me or the children. In fact his legacy is multiplied even unbeknownst in the lives of all the campers and camp staff. When I allow myself to notice a friend is in special need of a listening ear or encouraging word and I actually interrupt my schedule to sit and be, I inwardly call upon what I learned from Gonz who had so masterfully demonstrated this art to me. I come away feeling stronger and learning more about Gonz and why he did what he did to make a difference in other's lives.

Ultimately I understand that the power and attraction of Gonz' life and example are that in emulating them I find myself closer to the true heart of my God and Creator. Yes, that is the big secret Gonz carried so well. He was a man of deep faith in God and Jesus, but he was not one to hit anyone over the head with the Bible. You were just as likely to find him standing in the second row at church, arms raised and worshipping in song as you were to find him at Le Boulanger connecting with friends for hours, talking politics or even railing against those in the church who give Christ a bad rap. He demonstrated His faith precisely as Jesus did, by simply living out his personal life mission while extending grace, peace, joy, patience, and kindness to anyone fortunate enough to rub shoulders with him.

May all those whose lives were touched by Gonzaga not let any part of him be wasted in his passing. May we recognize the ways in which he does or ought to live on in us. May we give life to those ways that keep him dear in our hearts and bring us each closer to the heart of our Creator.

And may God's special comfort, strength and blessing be on Gonzi's dear mum, brothers, and family who helped produce such a magnificent person as we have all known. We grieve with you and share in your devastation and sorrow.

In loving memory and tribute to my beloved Gonzaga,

Paul
Sunnyvale, CA

Gonzaga Memorial Video Montage now posted

You may now find the memorial video montage posted online by clicking here or going to http://tinyurl.com/gonzagamontage.

This video debuted at the memorial service held for Gonzaga da Gama at Open Door Church in Mountain View, CA on July 18th, 2009. May the memory, legacy, and spirit of this great man live on in the hearts, minds,and lives of all those who were blessed enough to know him in the short time he walked this soil with us!

Our thoughts and prayers of comfort and strength are especially with Gonzi' mom, family, and friend who grieve his passing.

Special thanks to Suong Nguyen and Bing Gabis for assembling these photos that recall special memories with Gonzaga.

The soundtrack song is "Elijah" by Rich Mullins.

Gonzaga's reflections on his safari

I only knew Gonzaga a few years but he touched my heart like he did everybody he knew. He became a dear friend and I am overwhelmed with sadness at our loss.

He loved to travel and was always on the go. His trip to Africa must have been a very special treat for him. He left us happy and we will always be better for having known him.

I think you will all like to know in his own words about his last big experience on this earth. This is what he wrote about his Safari.

==============================================
I just returned from my safari.

Was a great experience.

Went to Tsavo National Park in Kenya.

Spent the night in a great lodge where elephants, buffaloes, zebras and
others were coming for water.
Saw many many elephants - males and females and babies.

Saw 3 lions.

That is a treat. One was walking right side by side our safari van. She did
not seem to be bothered. She just glanced at our car and continued
majestically for a bit and then decided that she was going to rest. Then she
just sat and dozed a few times, yawned and watched us.

The other two were a bit far away on top of a rock. A male and a female.
This was on our early morning drive. We left the lodge at 6:20 AM. One cool
thing is that all the safari drivers are in radio contact with each other.
That is how they let the others know if they see a big cat. Then all the
drivers charge to that place.

We saw gorgeous Masai giraffes, impalas, other members of the antelope
family, ostriches, etc.

I wish I could stay there for a few more days. The drive was interesting -
going through the dirt roads.

We had an interesting experience with an elephant and her baby. She was
right in the middle of the road and when our car approached the area, the
mother elephant refused to move and stood her ground. We waited for a while
and when we sort of advanced, she was not happy and showed a stance of
charging. We reversed quickly and left. The elephant let us know who was the
boss. In this case the wild animal won.
==============================================

His friend,
Nicholas Antoniou

Message for the memorial

Just thought of quoting a few words of what I think my brother Gonzi would want to say to all of us from up above.


"Sorry I had to leave right away
I look down and smile at you everyday.
If friends remember and come to say Hi,
Tell them I've departed, but please don't cry.
And to others I'd like to say
Don't mourn because I've passed away
I am walking streets of gold
And am lucky the blessed Lord to behold.
Remember to say a prayer for me
I'll treasure your love through eternity.
So carry on as you did before
Till all of us meet on Heaven's bright shore.
Remember I love you, Remember I care
I'll always be with you
Though you don't see me there."

Fr. Anand da gama pais,

Goa, India.

(This poem was read at the end of the memorial service on July 18, 2009)

Gonzaga Memorial Video

The sweetest reflection

Gonzaga truly was one of the sweetest reflections of the kindness and joy of the Lord that one seldom encounters. I didn't know Gonzaga well, but what I did know was enough to know his deep love for God and his friends. He never forgot the things we consider "tiny" - to speak congratulations or acknowledgment to others for things large and small. To take note of the things people don't often see or speak of, but that those who look with the heart see and understand. It is a rare gift and one reflective of a heart truly submitted and kind.

I am grieved for you Paul and Scottie and Gonzaga's family and how you are coping with this loss. Please know my heart and prayers are with you, and I hope you are finding the comfort of the many that love you and Gonzaga in the midst of this as something to keep you going.

Thank you Gonzaga for being a man of strength, integrity and great love. I hope you are laughing on streets of gold among many, many friends and lives you have touched.

E'en for the dead I will not bind my soul to grief;

Death cannot long divide.

For is it not as though the rose that climbed my garden wall

Has blossomed on the other side?

Death does hide,

But not divide;

You are but on Christ's other side!

You are with Christ, and Christ with me;

In Christ united still are we.

Lara Long

San Francisco, CA

Dear Friend

You would have so loved seeing all the wonderful things that people have said about you in this memorial. I'm not sure you truly knew how many people's lives you touched or how many people really cared about you. It has taken me awhile to have the courage to read all that is written here and to write something myself. I will miss you. I am so thankful of the time we have had together.

Sandra Wolf Klitzing, Ph.D., CTRS
Illinois State University
School of Kinesiology and Recreation

Legacy of a great friend!

Hey Gonz! I can’t believe and never even vaguely expected that I would be writing to express our friendship and how much you have been part of my life and well-being in all these years. I still remember the time we met at Sanctuary on October 26^th, 2003. From then on, our friendship just grew and we became like family almost!

I can never forget the awesome times we have had, whether it was socializing after Church, your giving me a ride when I was a poor Grad student whenever I needed, dropping me home after my late night classes from San Jose State, spending time at your office and cleaning your desk at SJSU, being the counselors’ counselor at the Royal Family Kids Camp, meeting for coffee/lunch/dinner whenever we could, watching Bollywood movies, cooking together, having some “healthy” arguments on politics, some deep and authentic sharing in our Men’s Group, or exploring to great depths of what was going on in each other’s personal and professional lives at any time.

Can I even start listing some of the greatest qualities I saw in you and how inspired I have been through those? The list will be too long and endless. But I loved how you so cared for people, no matter how they were. You consciously made an effort to make people feel welcomed and cared. You were so genuine in your words and never cared to impress anyone or any group. You thought you did not belong, but at the same time used that to make the real outcasts totally belong. You always aspired for a better world! You always questioned yourself as to how you could live a life that would be meaningful for others. You ensured that people will see your life and understand the meaning of being a true Christian. You always spoke for the marginalized, the oppressed, and the “others” in general. Every table you were a part of, you always reminded people of the society, the culture, and some if its shortcomings and what we all can do to change it. You were such a great son, brother, uncle, and friend. You were so dedicated in your profession. You had so many laurels in your education, career, and all other associations, but yet you were always so humble of all that! Every opportunity you had, you insisted on making a difference. You were such a great man! This list can only serve as a starting point to even summarize your achievements and greatness!

I still can not believe the fact that you are not going to be with us anymore on this earth, but I know for sure that you are at an even better place now, and constantly watching over us. We will certainly miss you physically around here, but I know all our great memories will remain with us forever, and nothing can take those away from us. We love you, and I know for sure you will love us as you always did! In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, your friend and brother always… Alfred

Alfred Jude,

Sunnyvale, CA

A quick note to my friend Gonzaga:

Gonzaga, I met you around a year ago when I started working as a coordinator in the Department of Hospitality, Recreation & Tourism Management at San Jose State University. While I may not have known you for as long as I would have liked to, I am still honored to consider myself a friend of yours. Your positivity was contagious and your spirit was truly one-of-a-kind. I’ll never forget our sociological discussions as well as our conversations in Portuguese in the department office. It doesn’t surprise me at all how much you touched the lives of so many others, for you were a genuine person in a world that is suffering from a shortage of genuine personalities. May your soul rest in peace.

Take care Gonzaga,

Jason Amarante,

San Jose State University.