Galo Soriano Gonzales - Obituary

alo S. Gonzales, 88, of Fort Washington, Maryland, departed this world after a valiant battle with prostate cancer which he managed with strength, poise, and resiliency. He took his last breath in the early morning hours of August 13 th , surrounded by his closest loved ones in the comfort of his home. Galo was born on October 7, 1932, to Isidro and Aquilina Gonzales in Baler, Quezon (Aurora), Philippines. He excelled in Horticulture Science at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1957, giving him the opportunity to travel the world and meet the love of his life, Toni, in Ontario, Canada. Along with their young children, Galo and Toni settled in the Washington, D.C. area while he continued to actively serve through his retirement in 1978. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Galo worked as a Federal Government Consultant for more than 20 years until fully retiring in 1998. He enjoyed cooking amazing dishes, fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family and friends, but his true, life-long passion was exploring all facets of history, especially his family history and that of Baler, Aurora. He was committed to preserving the legacy of the Guerrero-Gonzales Genealogy as well as the unique culture and language of Baler by sharing his vast knowledge about his beloved hometown. Galo is survived by his wife of 50 years, Antonia, son, Patrick (Sher) Gonzales, daughter, Jennifer (Vernon) Edejer, three grandchildren, Jenalyse Edejer, Vernon Edejer, and Nicholas Gonzales, older sister, Leah Gonzales Duaso, and countless loving nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, great-grand nieces and nephews, godchildren, and extended family and friends. In addition to being a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, extended family patriarch, friend, brother, mentor, and teacher to everyone, he was a proud Veteran who committed his life to serving God by serving others. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate and share memories of Galo’s remarkable life at Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 6160 Oxon Hill Road in Oxon Hill, Maryland on Thursday, August 26 th from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Funeral Mass will be offered on Friday, August 27 th at 10:00 A.M. at Saint Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Road in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Serving as pallbearers will be Galo’s nephews, Noel Duaso, Arlo Duaso, Olin Duaso, Fernando Gonzales, Bernard Gonzales, and Robert Rubio. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia with military honors on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 1 p.m. Please arrive at the Administration with one's own transportation and Identification by 12:15 p.m.