Gonzalo Stephen Valencia (Chalo), 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 26, 2008, at his Gilroy home with his loving wife, Nancy and family members at his side. Chalo was born in Rancho Cucamonga, California on May 18, 1929 to Anna and Pascual Valencia.
Chalo moved to Gilroy with his family when he was 7 years old. He attended local schools and was a star quarterback for the Gilroy High School Team. He was voted Most Valuable Player in 1947 and received a football scholarship to Kansas State. He later graduated and received a Masters degree from San Jose State.
He fulfilled his student teaching obligations under Dorothy Luckenbill and began teaching at Brownell School. He later became Principal at Glen View School and then Principal at South Valley Junior High from 1962 to 1988.
Chalo is survived by his wife Nancy and his children; Steve (Arlene) Valencia of Gilroy, Marianne Valencia (Randy Hale) of Denver, Colorado, Patrick (Arleen) Valencia of San Jose and Dan (Paige) Valencia of Sacramento. Also survived by Grandchildren, Sarah and Danny Valencia, Kennedy and Danielle Valencia, and Sara Rozel and greatgranddaughter Lucy Valencia. His brother, Pat “Pascual” Valencia of New York, sisters Sally Gutierrez, Anna McElroy and Hope Larson of California and many nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by stepchildren Mark (Nikki) Filice, Wendy Filice, Nanette Filice (Johnny Eller) and Jeannie (Ryan) Filice-Hollar. Step-grandfather to Jeremy and Cheyenne Strametz, Caitlin, Riley and Josh Filice-Hollar, and Siena, Sommer and Sophia Filice. He is also survived by sister in-law Judy Scagliotti, and sister and brother in-law Mel and Mona Berman
Gonzalo was pre-deceased by his wife and mother of his children, Beverly Valencia, his parents and sister Angela Zuniga.
Chalo loved to travel and over the years visited many parts of the world. He also enjoyed playing tennis and various card games. He was a long time Stanford football fan, but his true love was Notre Dame. He was recently able to attend the Stanford/Notre Dame game in South Bend, Indiana with his family. He was an active and involved community volunteer, including participating in the hiring of city personnel. He enjoyed driving his beloved 65′ Pontiac Tempest convertible in local parades and singing “Oh Danny Boy” at many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. He was for many years a basketball referee for city and school teams. He was always eager to plan a new trip, head out on a new adventure and especially eat at a new restaurant. Chalo was a devoted friend to many and will be greatly missed.
Visitation at Habing Family Funeral Home on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. with a funeral mass at St. Mary’s Church on Friday at 10:00 A.M. followed by graveside services at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Donations to St. Joseph’s of Gilroy will be appreciated.
