Victor Gonzalez

GONZALEZ, Mr. Victor - Of Flint, age 72, passed from this life into the arms of Jesus, Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Family hour 10 a.m. Saturday November 5, 2011 at Kent Street Church of God, 1513 Kent St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Lawrence Washington, Sr. officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11 a.m. Saturday. Mr. Gonzalez will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. Viewing will be from 12Noon-8 p.m. Friday with family present from 5-8 p.m. Mr. Victor Gonzalez was born May 21, 1939 in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the beloved son of Ernesto Gonzalez and Laura Esquilin. Victor graduated from Flint Central High School in 1957, going on to attend Mott Community College before beginning his 44 year career with General Motors Truck and Bus, retiring at the age of 68. He was a proud member of UAW Local 598. While at General Motors, his future brother-in-law, Leroy Collins II, introduced him to Margaret Phinisee. During their courtship, he came to know Jesus Christ as his personal savior and committed himself to membership at the Church of God, Flint, MI, under the leadership of the late Pastor Roy Bibbs, Jr. Victor soon married Margaret on June 26, 1982. He enjoyed fishing, and being the life of the party among his family and friends. His infectious laugh will always be remembered. Victor has become lovingly known as “The Puerto Rican Deacon” at Ambassador’s for sharing his faith by leading Bible studies there after his recent rededication of his life to the Lord. He leaves to cherish his memory: loving wife of 29 years, Margaret (Phinisee) Gonzalez; 3 daughters, Laura Lisa (David) Gonzalez-Bell, Victoria Anita Gonzalez and Darcel Dion (Michael) Clack, all of Flint; son, Mark R. (Tara) Phinisee of Oklahoma City, OK; 8 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; mother, Laura Esquilin of Rio Pierdas, San Juan, Puerto Rico; a host of other relatives and friends including best friend, Michael Early and special friends, Deacon Joseph Mayberry of Flint, Larry Wilburn, Morris Love, former wife, Marie Echols-Miller of Flint and friends and staff of UAW Local 598. Mr. Gonzalez was preceded in death by his father, Ernesto Gonzalez; grandmother, Tina Esquilin; grandfather, Seliciano Correa; and sister, Ada Esther Esquilin. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Pastor Lawrence Washington and the Kent Street Church of God family and everyone for the many prayers, thoughts of kindness and comforting expressions of love shown during our time of bereavement.

Victor Gonzalez

May 21, 1939 - October 26, 2011