Happy birthday dear brother

Hi Everyone

Today is my brother Gonzaga's birthday.

I use to wait for this day each year as he would always call me from the States a couple of days earlier to ask me 'Anand, what is my birthday gift this year'.

And I would always tell him 'Gonz, you ask and you will get it'.

He would immediately replay in his unique inimitable style 'Oooh, its ok Anand. LIFE IS GOOD'

That is our brother and our unforgettable true and genuine friend GONZAGA

Fr. Anand da Gama Pais
Goa

Fr. Anand, Dear Mum, Gonzi

Happy Birthday, Gonz!

Happy Birthday, Gonz. There is not a day that goes by when your family and friends do not think of you and remember you with great affection. On this special day, your birthday, I pray for your complete peace and joy with Christ.

I enjoy the memory of your smiling face and large heart and it makes me happy again.

Love,

Your old friend,

Eric Lane

One year with the Lord on 29th June 2010

Gonzi

In your Heavenly Father's arms may you rest forever,
In our hearts you will live forever.

Cecilia
Goa, India

Remembering Gonzaga on his birthday

Today the 15th of October is the birthday of Gonzaga. He would be forty six today
I just can't imagine that he is gone and that I will never hear from him anymore.
But I am sure that he is celebrating his birthday with all his loved ones up in
heaven. He is in the company of all the saints and angels in heaven
and is sending down on all God's choicest blessing.

Father Anand da Gama Pais
Gonzaga's brother
Goa, India

Other than my wife...

Other than my wife, Gonz was my best friend for over 18 years. I met him through a mutual friend named Ted, a member of the SF Church of Christ. Gonz was warm, loving, wise, brilliant, and generous. We are all lucky to have known him--to learn from his great example and share the love that he had for people.

Indeed, thanks to Gonzaga, my wife and I are more concerned than ever about human rights issues. He has always advocated for justice, and I vow to honor him by fighting for justice in the best way I know.

Moreover, Gonz was so giving of a friend that I will try to be a better friend myself, to be more grateful to those around me.

Bake Timmons
Princess Anne, MD

Gonzaga

Just a few minutes ago, my husband, Bake, and I learned of our dear friend Gonzaga's passing, and only because he was surfing around the internet and looking up Gonz' name to see what our ever active friend (!) has been up to. It is a testament to the memory of Gonzaga that he sometimes seemed bigger than life, seeming to make time for everyone in his life in some way, and remembering to keep in touch with everyone he knew~including us, even when we failed to do so, such as this summer when we awaited news of your return (hence, hubby's searching on the web for his latest activity). And as much as I'm on Facebook, I hadn't even bothered to look on his page, either.

Ever since we met him in '91 in church (which none of us attend now), he has given us countless hours of laughter, deep (and not-so-deep!) discussions, challenges to our thinking and goals and everything in between. He affected our lives in a BIG way, as he had a VERY BIG heart, as anyone who knew him can attest to. Both our extended families welcomed him into their lives, especially my in-laws. Who could NOT be touched by Gonzaga?!

Gonzaga was our best buddy. He was often like a big brother to me, as well as best friend. He ALWAYS made me laugh because his laugh was so contagious! I think that is what I will miss about him most: his hearty laugh. :-) His annual visits to the east coast to visit us. When he was in grad school at U of M, he used to tell us the only time he got sleep was when he came to visit Jennifer and Bake! And indeed, he did spend the majority of time sleeping during his stay with us! But that was fine, because he was our dear friend and we wanted to look after him, as he looked after us.

I have a smiling Gonzaga photo taken during his last visit, last fall, sitting on our bookshelf. Looking at his smiling photo reminds us of his ceaseless drive for justice and human rights for the disabled and forgotten members of our society (abused and foster children). He definitely inspired Bake and I to become advocates for human rights issues and supported our causes.

We will miss him sorely. His presence. His laughter. His annual visits. His phone calls. For nearly two decades he enriched our lives immeasurably. He had SO much love to spread around! I can't believe you're gone, my friend. My heart aches for you, Gonz...you left us way too soon.

Jennifer J. L. Timmons
Princess Anne, MD

Gonzaga memory

I was absolutely shocked yesterday as I thumbed through the California Parks & Recreation magazine and saw Gonzaga's picture above the announcement of his passing. I had no idea. I met Gonzaga at the CPRS state conference in Ontario 2006 at our Dist. IV social. The details are hazy, at least for me. But I do remember him coming up to me the next day greeting me and exclaiming "You were shaking it and baking it last night!" His presence at conferences and meetings always brought an infusion of fresh, cheerful, and joyously enthusiastic perspectives that promoted inclusion and celebration for all. I am saddened that he will not be around to engage and educate the next generation of recreational professionals, as well as to challenge and energize us old professionals. You will be missed Gonzaga. Peace be with you.

Steve Beaty
Recreation Supervisor
Brisbane, CA

Good bye Professor

Wow! It has been over a month since your passing and I just found out yesterday. I am so shocked!

I still remember when sometime around 2002 we first met in the conference room at SJSU. You were explaining what the "Therapeutic Recreation" program at SJSU was all about. You convinced me and I joined the M.S. program and I have never looked back. For a person coming from engineering back ground, your passion for your profession made a difference. Next year I experienced your passion more during the grad courses that you taught. There are many things I disagreed in the contents and the way you taught the course, but there is no denying of your passion and caring. I thank your from the bottom of my heart for all the lessons I have learned from you.

I am sure we will meet again.

sml:-)
Shabbir M. Latif, M.S. Therapeutic Recreation, CTRS.
6 Seconds Certified EQ Associates.
Electrical Engineer, Ph.D.
shabbir@xtra-assist.com

I am truly amazed

Dear All

I am truly amazed that my brother who came here in Kenya to say BYE to me.
spend the last 10 days of his life is remembered like this.

I am truly and definitely amazed and it has changed my life my whole value to exist.
finally I ask myself.
God works in mysterious ways...as definitely he never complained of any health issues
nor did he ever seem to be displeased with anything or anybody.
may be he was but never showed it.

I truly was blessed to have Gonz as my next sibling and definitely he showed that
amazing affection to one and all.
be it the family or his friends or his students.

Let us in any way try to carry his memory forward.
Let any of those who cared and valued know that they can anytime contact me his
eldest brother Jose and are more that welcome to get in touch with me.

My contacts: dagamapais@gmail.com
my phones at present: +254 725981929 / +254 202107998
and all of you are welcome in Mombasa as long as I am here.

Jose Da Gama Pais
Mombasa, Kenya

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