Nicholas "Nico" Gonzales passed peacefully Sunday. Born and raised in Pittsburg, he graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1958 where he excelled in football and has recently been inducted into the Pittsburg Football Hall of Fame. His football talents earned him a scholarship to Utah State (B.A.); he later earned a Masters from SF State. For 30 years he worked for Contra Costa County's Office of Education where he helped over 45,000 youth obtain employment. He was instrumental in building the Junior Football League in Pittsburg and dedicated many years to coaching and advocacy. He enjoyed sports and was a faithful 49er fan and long time member of the Moose Lodge in Pittsburg. He was preceded in death by his wife Marie Gonzales of Pittsburg and parents Teofilio and Carmen Gonzales of Pittsburg. He is survived by his children Joseph (Lori), Nicole, and Sandra of Pittsburg, granddaughters, and siblings Theresa Navarro, Daniel Gonzalez, and Carlos (Terry) Gonzalez and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 4:00pm with a vigil at 7:00pm at the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel. Funeral liturgy Friday, May 10, 2013 at 10:00am at St. Peter Martyr Church. Committal services following at Holy Cross Cemetery, Antioch.