Obituary of Rafaela Gonzalez

Rafaela (Rafa) Gonzalez, age 86, passed away peacefully on December 29th after a long illness.



Rafa was born in Havana , Cuba on October 26, 1926 a few years after her parents, Balbina and Antonio Fernandez, immigrated from Galicia , Spain .



She is survived by Jose M. (Pepe) Gonzalez, her husband of 60 years; sister Carmen Marrero, as well as many extended family members in Jacksonville and Miami . She is predeceased by her sons, Esteban (Steve) and Gustavo (Gus) Gonzalez as well as her brother, Gerardo Fernandez and sister, Blanca Kern.



Rafa, her husband and young boys immigrated to Florida in November, 1960 when their companies, Sears and The Home Insurance Company respectively, were seized by the Cuban Communist government. After immigrating, Pepe resumed his position with The Home Insurance Company while Rafa worked for the Insurance Service Office (ISOI) for more than 10 years, retiring in 1977.



Rafa and Pepe have maintained a residence in Jacksonville 's Glynlea area since 1965 and have many close neighbors and friends. Rafa was a woman of faith and a lifelong member of the Catholic Church. She was a gentle and kind spirit, accomplished cook and well-loved mother, wife and friend.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 3rd at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road . A mass in Rafa's honor will be performed by Father Caesar Russo on Friday, January 4th, at Christ the King Catholic Church at 10:00am,

742 North Arlington Road.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bishop Kenney Schools in the name of The Esteban and Gustavo Gonzalez Education Trust.