Rudolph Edward Gonsalves

Passed away in peace, surrounded by those who loved him, at his home in Santa Rosa on September 6, 2010. He was 82 years old. He is survived by his beloved of 24 years, Jean Kapolchok, his son Timothy Gonsalves, former daughter-in-law Terri Gonsalves, grandchildren Justin, Sheridan and Aimee Gonsalves. He is also survived by his sons Stormy (Rudy) Gonsalves & Mark Gonsalves, granddaughter Dina, & Sarah, brother Edward Gonsalves, sister Ruthe Waasdorf and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sons Randy and William (Billy), and former wife Margie. Rudy was born on October 4, 1927 in Winters California. His boyhood was spent on the family ranch in rural Winters, where he came to learn and love agriculture. Through Rudy's stewardship, the ranch remains in the family today and continues to be farmed. Rudy joined the Navy at the age of 17 and served in the Pacific toward the end of WWII. After the war, Rudy worked for the state of California in Sacramento. It was there he met Margie Brazelle whom he later married. In 1956, he and his family moved to Santa Rosa, California where he began his career in the gravel industry. Hard work and always striving to do better was part of Rudy's nature. Employed at Kaiser Sand & Gravel, Rudy worked his way up the ranks becoming the division manager of the plant and operations on Eastside Road in Windsor, and on Maxwell Drive in Santa Rosa. Serving the community was also an important part of Rudy's life. He was instrumental in the construction of the Santa Rosa Senior Center on Bennett Valley Road, and the Boys and Girls Club in Windsor. He was an active member of the Windsor Lions Club, Windsor Chamber of Commerce, Sonoma County Alliance, Santa Rosa Elks Club, North Coast Builders Exchange and the Santa Rosa Breakfast Club. He also loved flying, owning several private planes, and his ranch where he would go on the weekends, tending to the yard, the walnut orchard and doing a little hunting during dove season. Sadly, since 2005, Rudy suffered from dementia, which claimed his life on September 6, 2010. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Monday, September 13, 2010, at 1:00 pm at St. Eugene's Cathedral 2323 Montgomery Drive Santa Rosa, burial to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Santa Rosa. Visitation will be on Sunday, September 12, 2010 beginning at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Daniels Chapel of the Roses, 1225 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa, CA. Family requests that donations can be made to the Windsor Boys and Girls Club P.O. Box 526, Brooks Road South, Windsor, CA 95492. Daniels Chapel of the Roses Cremation and Funeral Services (707) 525-3730