Monterey County Herald (online ed), CA Aug 2, 2006

March 8 1955 ~ July 27 2006 MONTEREY - Joe I. Gomez Jr., age 51, passed peacefully into the hands of Our Lord on July 27, 2006 at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula with his loving family at his side after a lengthy illness.   Joe was born on March 8, 1955 in Crystal City, Texas. His family relocated to California and moved to Pacific Grove when he was seven months old. Joe attended school in Pacific Grove graduating from Pacific Grove High School in 1973. He participated in many sports throughout his lifetime including baseball and basketball. He discovered his passion, the sport of surfing, during his high school years and spent many years enjoying the ocean and waiting for that perfect wave with his group of surf buddies, Mike, Frank, Tom and Billy, to name a few. He surfed the waters of the Central Coast, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Southern California, Mexico and Hawaii. Joe was also blessed with a strong work ethic. He apprenticed as a tile setter, then became a Licensed Tile Contractor. Joe's quality of work, attention to detail, generosity and magnetic personality established him among the best of his trade for over 25 years. He devoted many years of his life beautifying residences of the Monterey Peninsula with his tile, marble and granite work. Joe was the ultimate family man and friend. His unconditional love, respect and loyalty to his family and friends was the gift he taught us all. Joe enjoyed fishing, camping, watching his three children participate in sports, coaching softball and soccer when his children were younger and traveling to Lake Tahoe. He was especially proud when his son Joey was selected to the Bronco World Series Monterey Baseball team. Joe was a member of San Carlos Cathedral Parish, Italian Catholic Federation Branch #36, Festa Italia and the Monterey Elks. He enjoyed donating his time and resources to all, and especially enjoyed helping Anna set up the Mass for the Santa Rosalia Festival for the past few years. He is survived by his loving wife Cathy, and children Gina, Joey and Samantha of Monterey; his parents, Jose and Olivia Gomez of Pacific Grove; siblings, Gloria (Randy) Gabrielsen of Monterey, Gilda (Mike) Zapfe of Colorado, Caroline Gomez of Palo Cidros, CA, Theresa (Al) Gomez of Marina, Cecelia (Dave) Hinderscheid of Salinas and Oscar (Karen) Gomez of Riverbank, CA; mother-in-law, Rose Enea Ventimiglia and father-in-law, Salvatore J. Ventimiglia, both of Monterey; brother-in-law, Skip Ventimiglia of Marina and sister-in-law, Phyllis (Karl) Nicholas of Monterey. He leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and godchildren who all love and miss his presence among us. The family would like to thank all the employees of Community Hospital who supported our family every step of the way. They were angels on our shoulders who gave us smiles, hugs and encouragement each and every day. Joe was a rare husband, son, relative and friend. His spirit deeply touched all he met, and will remain among us forever. Remember him when you gaze at the ocean, and feel the happiness he would want for you. Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 1, 2006 from 5-7pm, with a 7pm Vigil at Mission Mortuary. Mass of the Resurrection will be held Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 9:30am at San Carlos Cathedral. Donations may be made in Joe Gomez's name, payable to: IU Cancer Center Gifts/Thymoma Research. Indiana University School of Medicine, Office of Gift Development, 1110 West Michigan Street, LO 506, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5100, Attention: Mary Maxwell.