Eusebio R. Gonzalez

— Eusebio San Antonio, Texas Reyes Gonzalez of San Antonio, Texas, passed away April 6 due to complications from pancreatic cancer.

He is survived by his daughters, Monica Gonzalez of Los Angeles, Calif., Bianca Gonzalez of New London; his former wife of 33 years, Kelly Gonzalez of Oakdale; his mother, Carmen; brothers, Liborio, Jose, Lupe and David Gonzalez; and sister, Sonia Gonzalez, all of San Antonio, Texas. He was predeceased by his infant daughter, Alycia Gonzalez; and his father, Jose Gonzalez.

Eusebio was born Aug.

14, 1962, in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. He immigrated to the United States as a child, becoming an American citizen in 1992. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years. He served in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War and three deployments to the Middle East. At the time of his death, he was employed as a civil servant at Lackland AFB continuing his Air Force career working in the dining facilities.

He met his former wife, Kelly, while both were stationed in Germany in 1983. They married in 1985.

Eusebio was his happiest and at his very best while living with his family in Germany, Idaho, Colorado and North Carolina. They shared many loving memories as a military family. Although their marriage ended after 33 years, Eusebio and Kelly were able to maintain a unique relationship, understanding the end of their marriage was not due to no longer loving each other, but due to an untreated disorder that caused many regrettable decisions and deep remorse.

Eusebio loved his daughters deeply. Sadly, his untreated disorder kept him from being the kind of father he was in their early years. Despite the sadness his absence in recent years caused, they are comforted in the many loving memories of their early years with him, most especially his proclamation every time he came home from work by yelling out, “Fella Fellas!” With great joy upon hearing that greeting, they would run into his arms for a ‘‘welcome home Papa” hug and kiss. That is how they choose to remember him during this difficult time.

Formal services with military honors will be held in San Antonio, Texas, while Kelly, Monica and Bianca will hold their own special memorial together in Connecticut, with a visit to his grave later in the summer, as well as a special climb on the Manitou Springs Incline in Colorado on Eusebio’s birthday in August. He never gave up hope of returning to Colorado one day to live happily in the location he came to love while stationed there with his family.

Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Air Force Aid Society at afas.org or any notable charity that helps veterans with PTSD and alcohol abuse.