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Jose Miguel Gonzalez Soria
Born: 5/7/1935
Died: 10/17/2022
Age: 87
Community: Goodrich, MI
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Jose Miguel Gonzalez Soria (May 7, 1935 - October 17, 2022)
Jose Miguel Gonzalez Soria was born the eldest son of 13 children by Nilo Gonzalez Meyer and Clemencia Soria de Gonzalez on May 7, 1935 in San Lorenzo, Paraguay. Jose’s memoir could fill volumes as he, in one lifetime, seemingly lived many. His experiences seemed fantastical- but all explained how he, an immigrant to America, lived a life of prosperity, service, and humility.
Dedicated by his family to the priesthood at the age of twelve, Jose spent five years at a seminary in Argentina until forced to flee when the dictator Juan Peron ordered all foreigners from the country. His favorite subjects were theology (if only to play devil’s advocate), mathematics and engineering (the foundation for a lifetime of mechanical jerry-rigging), and Latin (he said it was easier than German).
Jose then entered his compulsory two-year service in the Paraguayan Army, the cavalry division, and later served in the Presidential Guard, until his honorable discharge with a sergeant’s rank. A proud highlight of his service was when he was the enlisted man chosen to accompany the President of Paraguay and the top general in receiving repatriated cannons returned by Argentina, as a peace offering in commemoration of the War of the Triple Alliance. These cannons you can still visit today in the Plaza de la Victoria, in Asuncion.
Upon leaving the Army, Jose attended trade school as a machinist and worked at the Paraguayan home of the U.S. Embassy Economic Advisor Dr. E.L. Cross of Flint, who noticed his education and work ethic. Dr. Cross acted as a mentor to Jose, once inviting him to a diplomatic dinner honoring then Vice President Nixon, offering him the chance to fly over Antarctica in a DC-10 and numerous other grand adventures. Dr. Cross and his wife Beatrice sponsored Jose for U.S. residency in 1960.
After apprenticing as a tool-and-die maker at Flint Junior College, GMI, and University of Michigan, he spent his career Buick City in Flint. In 1996, Jose retired as a tool & die supervisor in the Experimental Engineering division at Buick. Jose was a cultural pioneer and persevered through setbacks due to racism and classism. He earned and kept many valuable friendships via his fairness, level headedness, loyalty, integrity, hard work, and humor.
Jose met Sharleen Williams of Flint in 1962. They married in 1966 and raised three girls: Irene Pyne (Tony) of Brisbane, Australia; Maria Gonzalez of Goodrich; and Teresa Woods (Scot) of Flint. In 1974, they moved to Goodrich, Michigan, purchasing a piece of property on the northwest corner of Gale Lake. Jose’s love for gardening and construction made this property what he would someday call his, “piece of heaven on Earth.” In 2016, Sharleen and Jose celebrated their 50th Anniversary with their beautiful extended family in Paraguay.
His personality was a combination of savvy problem solver, unmitigated flirt, consoling sage, and devious practical joker. In Goodrich and Flint, Jose was famous for knowing almost everyone, to the point that family and friends would jokingly call him, “The Mayor”. For others, Jose had a penchant for finding inventive solutions for problems, usually with some life-story lesson included in the solution.
His life was joyous, purpose-driven, and forever family-centered. Always promoting experiences over possessions, he and Sharleen instilled in their girls the importance of service to others, love for travel (especially home to Paraguay), and family. Their dedication to their daughters’ formal and informal education ensured that they appreciated their heritage and cultural diversity. A forever constant in his mind, he traveled home frequently to be with his large, extended family in Paraguay, ensuring that extra resources he could provide were shared. He loved his time with his brothers, sisters, and their families, sharing stories around the table.
Jose passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family- his life a culmination of an American immigrant’s dream. His legacy is that of hard work, perseverance, patience, wisdom, humor, and so much love. He is survived by his wife, his daughters, and 5 grandchildren: Joshua Dascombe, Jimmy Pyne, Georgia Pyne, Liam Woods and Nolan Woods. He is also survived by two of his brothers, Isidro and Fermin, and sister Maria del Huerto; many nieces, nephews; cousins, and his best friend, Richard Hoag.
Please join us in celebrating Jose’s life at the Funeral Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church 11804 South Saginaw Road, Grand Blanc, MI on Saturday, November 12th. Visitation at 9 am, Mass at 10 am, with a reception to follow at the Father Bush Parish Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Holy Family Catholic Church Building and Grounds Fund or the American Cancer Society.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillfh.com for the Soria family. |
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11/9/2022 |
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| Funeral Service |
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11/12/2022 |
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10:00 AM |
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Brown Funeral Home
11804 South Saginaw
Grand Blanc, MI 48439Get a Map to this location...
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