Roland H. Gomez August 3, 1938 - November 29, 2022
Miami, Florida Gomez, Roland H., of Miami, FL and Palm Coast, FL passed on 11/29/22 after complications from a short illness. Born in Brooklyn, NY, and moving back and forth to FL 13 times as a child, he settled in Miami. He attended Miami High School where he played middle guard on defense and left guard on offense for two state championship football teams earning all-City recognition. He attended the University of Florida and earned his BA in 1960 and JD in 1963. Professionally, he practiced in South Florida for nearly 60 years with most of his career leading the Law Offices of Roland Gomez. A few of his professional accomplishments include being recognized by Martindale-Hubbel to receive an AV rating after only 8 years of practice and invitation into the American Board of Trial Advocates. He tried over 350 jury trials to verdict representing both Plaintiffs and Defendants and received the Henry Latimer Award in 2008 by the Florida Bar in recognition of professionalism and community service. Additionally, he tried the first case in Florida awarding punitive damages under Sec. 624.155: the insurance bad faith statute. He will be best remembered for his contributions of time and the friendships he developed during his lifetime. He coached youth sports for 20 years, primarily baseball and soccer, and started the girls soccer program in Miami Lakes. Four of the soccer teams he coached won State championships and were able to travel and compete throughout the US and Europe. He was proud that 23 of the players he coached were awarded scholarships to college. The Miami Lakes Optimist named a college scholarship they established in his name in 1988 for the outstanding male and female participants in the Optimist program which is awarded annually. In 2003, the Town of Miami Lakes declared July 7, 2003, as Roland Gomez Day in honor of his contributions to youth sports. He served as the President of North Miami Kiwanis, Director of the Junior Orange Bowl, President of Miami Lakes Optimist, Director of Pet Rescue, Inc. and Director of Humane Society. He was inducted into Miami High Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Town of Miami Lakes Sports Hall of Fame 2020. After retiring as an attorney, he split his time between Miami and Palm Coast. He returned to playing softball and became a fixture on fields between Palm Coast and Miami as well as playing in tournaments around the US. In his younger days, he was a certified scuba diver and made approximately 500 dives, most in conjunction with 26 Windjammer sailing trips throughout the Caribbean. He later changed from a water skier around South Florida to a downhill skier in Colorado and Utah, enjoying frequent trips with family and friends. He always cherished the friendships he made, whether during his legal career, community service, playing sports, everyday interactions, and with childhood friends, for which he remained friends with throughout his lifetime. He loved all animals, especially dogs, and he loved people and would do anything to help them. He was beyond generous with so many charities and helped numerous people directly. He loved to laugh and always had an arsenal of jokes ready to share.
He is survived by the love of his life, Flossie; daughters, Nancy Contreras (Lazaro Contreras) and Lisa DePriest; son, Richard M. Gomez (Jay Kushner); grandchildren, Daniel Contreras and Amanda Contreras; and his two four-legged children, Buddy and Minnie. We are all going to miss having him as part of our lives. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 5:30pm at the Optimist Club House, 6411 NW 162 St., Miami Lakes, FL 33014.
In lieu of flowers, Roland would have preferred donations to:
Flagler Humane Society, flaglerhumanesociety.org Flagler Cats flagler-cats.org or to your favorite animal shelter.