Robert "Bob" Gonsalves

ROBERT "BOB" GONSALVES Passed away on March 31, 2003 at his Fremont home of 42 years. Born September 10, 1935 on the island of Maui, Hawaii to Henry and Eva Gonsalves, Bob came to California in 1959 and started his career in the automotive industry working for General Motors in Oakland. That same year, he met Arlene Perry, his wife to be for the next 43 years. The couple married in 1960 and moved to Fremont in 1961 to raise their growing family of four children. He transferred to the General Motors Plant in Fremont in 1962 where he worked in Plant Security. Bob would soon become the youngest Sergeant in General Motors history and later rose to the position of Fire Chief until the plant's closing in 1982. As Fire Chief, Bob forged lasting relationships with Fremont's police and fire departments and actively represented General Motors during years of community service. He continued his duties at the Fremont plant through 1984 and became Security Manager at New United Motors where he worked until his retirement in 1998. Bob was a member of St. Joseph's parish for 42 years, a member of the Washington Township Men's Club, and a former member of the Mission San Jose Rotary Club. A loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend, Bob will be remembered for his gregarious presence, generosity and lasting smile. He is survived by his wife Arlene; his mother Eva Gonsalves; brother and sister James and Barbara Gonsalves; children Cynthia, Robert Jr., Robin and Steven, daughter-in-laws Erin Shaughnessy Gonsalves and Paula Priebe Gonsalves; and eight grandchildren: Shaughn, 18; Mallory, 16; Kelly, 13; Corey, 13; Ryann, 10; Casey, 10; Aleia, 7; and Hunter, 5. Friends are invited to attend a Rosary service at Mission San Jose in Fremont on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at St. Joseph's Church, adjacent to Mission San Jose, on Friday, April 4 at 10 a.m. to be followed by a procession to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery on Mission Boulevard in Hayward. For further information contact: BERGE-PAPPAS-SMITH CHAPEL OF THE ANGELS (510)656-1226 FD668