Arturo Gonzalez Barrera
August 4th, 1921 - March 7th, 2009
Probably the greatest man I have ever known and will ever know. My grandfather passed away on the 7th of March. He had lived a long and fruitful life with many ups and downs. He taught me a lot in his many years as a surrogate father to myself and my siblings. I appreciate every day that I was able to spend with him, and every conversation that I had with him. I will always hold him close to my heart. I'll take the subtle jokes and stern advice handed down to me over the years, and try to never forget them. The many anecdotes and life stories that he passed on, were the outpouring of a mans hard life, to go from a barefoot kid shining shoes in the town square, to the provider and well to do man that he was in the end. A brave, powerful and stoic man who stood on his feet, head high in the presence of any and all trials and tribulations.
He worked very hard throughout his life, and was not given the easy deal from his family many many decades ago. What did he do? He struck out and made his own fortune, providing and raising his own family and instilling that sense of independence that I love and use to this day. In the end, my grandfather succumbed to his illness and old age, but as he would have none of the sorrow felt for him, he stuck it out like a high brow aristocrat thumbing his nose at death and fighting as long as he could.
I spoke with him 2 days before he died, and I am very happy to have had that opportunity and am at peace with having been able to tell him how much I loved him and how grateful I was to him for all of his help throughout the years. I will miss him greatly. For now, it's time to visit my family and do whatever I need to do, to help them along.
He worked very hard throughout his life, and was not given the easy deal from his family many many decades ago. What did he do? He struck out and made his own fortune, providing and raising his own family and instilling that sense of independence that I love and use to this day. In the end, my grandfather succumbed to his illness and old age, but as he would have none of the sorrow felt for him, he stuck it out like a high brow aristocrat thumbing his nose at death and fighting as long as he could.
I spoke with him 2 days before he died, and I am very happy to have had that opportunity and am at peace with having been able to tell him how much I loved him and how grateful I was to him for all of his help throughout the years. I will miss him greatly. For now, it's time to visit my family and do whatever I need to do, to help them along.
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