Jose Valentine Gonzales

In Loving Memory of Jose "Tino" Gonzales (1959 – 2026)

To say that Jose "Tino" Gonzales was a strong man is a profound understatement. Tino, a proud native of Cucamonga and a United States Army veteran, passed away on May 8, 2026, at the age of 66. He was a man who moved through the world entirely on his own terms, carrying a protective coat of armor and an iron willpower that defined everything he did. A private person by nature, Tino met life’s challenges with a quiet defiance. Whenever a crisis or an obstacle crossed his path, he tackled it head-on, completely disregarding standard timelines and proving his resilience time and time again. He lived by a strict personal code of endurance, grit, and independence.

Yet, the one reality he could not out-tough was the grief of losing his beloved wife, Rebecca. Her absence altered his world entirely. This past year was marked by a deep, quiet sadness as he navigated each day simply missing her. While his presence will be missed, immense comfort is found in knowing that his earthly battles are over, his heavy armor is laid down, and his heart is finally at rest, reunited with Rebecca. As it is written in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Tino was reunited in eternal rest with those who preceded him in death, including his beloved wife, Rebecca Gonzales; his parents, Jose Navor Gonzales and Lucy Gonzales; his brothers, Richard Gonzales and Michael Gonzales; and his sister, Diana Lucero. He is survived by his children and their families, who will forever carry on his legacy: Mariano and Gina Nicasio, along with grandsons Mariano and Rolando; Andrea and Angel Gonzales; Savannah Espinoza, along with grandson John Ruiz; Alma Gonzales and Mike Allgood, along with grandchildren Ava, Benecio, and Oliver; and Brenda and Jay Juvaid, along with grandsons Jaxen, Abel, Gabriel, and Omar.

Services to honor Tino's life will take place on Friday, July 31, 2026. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 PM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, located at 10079 8th St, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. Following the mass, a Military Burial will take place at 2:00 PM at Riverside National Cemetery, located at 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518. Immediately following the cemetery services, family and friends are warmly invited to gather at the Cooper Museum Courtyard, located at 217 A St, Upland, CA 91786, to share memories, find comfort, and celebrate a life lived truly on its own terms.