Mario’s father, Nivaldo Gonzalez, passed away on February 17, 2008. He was ill for some time after having suffered a stroke. Unfortunately, his health took a turn for the worse over the past two weeks and had to be hospitalized. Mario and his family had been at the hospital by his dad’s bedside until he closed his eyes for the very last time into eternal sleep.

Nivaldo Gonzalez was born in Jaruco Cuba in 1937. He left Cuba when he was in his 20’s prior to Castro’s dictatorship and he settled in Hoboken New Jersey.

He is survived by his wife Norma, a daughter Elizabeth, his son Mario, two grand-daughters, Diamond and Savannah and his beloved dog Suzie.

Nivaldo was a loving husband, a great father and an even better grand-father. “He taught me everything I know, and made me the man I am today”, Mario stated in describing his Dad.