This might not be the right place to post this, but if the mods move it, they move it. A friend of many of ours, Dave Gonzales, passed away Monday night in Chicago. While he was of Mexican heritage, his heart beat Red, White and Blue through and through. I was proud to call him a friend over the past few years, getting the chance to spend time with him in Korea, France (Confed Cup) and Germany. He had just returned from Germany a few days ago. He was one of the loudest singers, one of the proudest fans, one of the people that enjoyed his life for all if was worth, and one that I will call my friend the rest of my life. I've attached some pictures because I believe many of you know him from having met him. And if you met him, you'd never forget him. I would love it if those of you that met him would add a couple of comments. He taught me to relax and be comfortable talking to everyone. I will miss the chance to be one of the 'brown' boys with you. RIP Dave ... all of us will miss you ... I know we'll have you singing over our shoulders every US game.
Re: We lost a good fan One final post on my half... My heart and prayers are with you my friend ... RIP.
Re: We lost a good fan God, what horrible news. I'm sorry I didn't meet Dave while in Germany (some people I know very well are in the photos with him). Really tragic and a reminder that we are never promised tomorrow. My sympathies to his friends and family.
My ABSOLUTE AND SINCERE condolences to yourself, and his family and friends. I'm sure you're in a time of pain right now, but just know that there are HUNDREDS of class American fans here who are with you 500% in your time of loss. I'm sure he must've been a class American fan himself on top of being a great friend to you. I'm very sorry to hear this, and peace be with you and his family
Terrible to hear. From the few snapshots, it looked like he lived life as we all should keeping in mind you never know when your time is up.
Let me first say Dave was my friend. His passing is going to leave a great void. Dave was not just a guy; he was a great human being that brought out the best in people. He welcomed everybody, not just his friends. He wanted all to smile and have a great time and join him and his friends in what most people could only describe as a party. Thank you Dave, you will be missed more than you ever know!!! -Joe
I, too, met Dave in Korea (he got a mention on the very last page of my book), and France, but I really got to know him well in Germany. Today has been an extremely hard day. Ivy and I are devistated. I have tried all day to put something into words, but they are not coming. The tears are. Dave was a fantastic guy, one of the best I have ever known. He is the kind of guy you know for less than a month, but you will still drop everything to go to Chicago to say goodbye. I hate that I have to do that, but I feel I must. Many of his friends will be there, I think I need to see them. Monty, Kaela, Brock, Sean, Jeff, Joe, Ty, and the rest, I can't believe I will see you guys in a couple of days. I can't imagine a worse reason. To all who know him much better than I, I am extremely sorry. I know how much I will miss him. Goodbye, Godbless, Godspeed, and Schweinsaxxe, my freind.
What happened? He looks so young. What a horrible loss, he is in our prayers! I am sorry for his friends and family..................
Dave is one of the greatest guys that I've ever known. The first time I met him we stayed up drinking and quoting Eddie Murphy comedy all night. Turns out the meaning of, "Gus, don't burn down my mother F'in backyard" meant a lot more that night then we expected when we almost burnt every 75 cent Totino's pizza that we placed in the oven (all 18 of them). That night I nicknamed him SKIPPY and it stuck with a lot of us ever since. It came from Damon Wayan's "Dammmmmmmmmmmn Skippy"....... Skippy was a real "bro" as he'd call us. From hanging with him while skiing, to 4th of July parties, Dyanmo games, Astros games and Chisox games to weddings or just the simple phone call, he was always fun to be around. I will miss you Skippy (aka Dave & Paizon). You were a great friend and will forever be in my heart and my families and will miss you as a "bro". Btw: I owe Dave a punch in the eye when I see him in Heaven and he knows it because I reminded him just Monday. I told him if he didn't hook up with the chick in Germany that he got digits from FIRST, that I'd punch him in the eye. He's got one coming to him "goonie goo goo mother ********er" I love ya! Jeff
I read a lot on these boards, and I very rarely go into the fans and travel section, but tonight I felt the need to look and the urge to read this thread. I met Dave at the Italy game during the Red, White, and Brew. We are both from Chicago and talked on and off before the game. During the game, he stood on the stairs and I was right next to him on the floor talking back and forth the entire game. When Beasley 'scored', I looked over and gave him a hug. Meeting him was one of the biggest things I remember on that night of few memories (those that were there know what Im talking about). After the game I swapped contact info with him. Even though I only met him once, I feel hurt tonight. Meeting him, seeing his passion made a huge impact on my trip. I just felt like I needed to say something. Thank you dave for making my trip that much better.
Horrible, horrible news. I just met Dave in Germany and he looked in the prime of life. My sincerest condolences to his friends and family.
Thank you all for your kind words. I know Dave was probably sitting up there last night watching me smoke my cigar in his honor, and he had a bigger Cuban cigar in his hand flirting with 3 women at the same time. In the words of a good friend, "This sucks. And it's going to suck for a long time."
According to published reports and from those close to his family, Dave was out boating with friends on Lake Michigan on Monday evening in the vicinity of Chicago's lakefront fireworks display, when, at some point after disembarking the boat, he fell into the water from a pier at Burnham Harbor. Dave didn't know how to swim. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was pronounded dead a bit before 11:00PM. I first got to know Dave at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in France through some mutual friends, sharing in some great experiences from joking around with New Zealand supporters at the St. James's Pub in Vieux Lyon, standing in the away supporters pen in St. Etienne during the match against Turkey, exploring the Roman ruins and Basilique de Notre Dame near the Fourviere... there's even this story (much embelished and exagerated over the years) involving Dave, yours truly, and some Norwegian high school girls that we both got teased about to this day; Dave always managed to say something or be involved in something that would put a smile on your face, and that's a great legacy to leave. More recently, Dave was part of a large group of U.S. supporters that both he and I stayed with over in Germany in a small German village by the name of Diebach (about 2 hours east of Frankfurt), using a villa and number of apartments in an old mill there as "home base" for our stay during the World Cup. I distinctly remember the night after the Ghana match, sitting in frustrated silence on a train from Nuremberg, changing trains in Wurzburg, and suddenly seeing Dave's trademark shirt and hat running along the platform, banging on the glass to get his attention, having him make my train just before it departed. I remember talking about the loss to Ghana, sharing our frustrations and discussing the tournament, but with Dave also talking about the good things like Dempsey's play and the atmosphere at the Italy match... he managed to turn the evening around, get me focused on everything good from the trip... Later that evening back at the mill - this as we waited for our friends to return from the match - we talked about his love for Chicago, his plans to start looking for a job, the extra time he'd be spending in Germany after most of us left, while looking forward already to South Africa and discussing the potential for that trip... he was looking forward to meeting up with old friends, making new ones, while thinking of the adventure of it all. I didn't know Dave as well as some of my friends, but I most certainly consider him a friend, and the news of his passing comes as an incredible shock. He was the genuine article... "good people" as some of my southern friends might say: he was a great human being with a big heart and generosity of spirit, someone who was easy to know, bore no pretense or ill-will, and always managed to find some good measure of perspective on things. As difficult and painful it is to hear of his passing, I'm comforted by the fact that, in time, the pain will ease, and we can all embrace the wonderful collection of memories and experiences he blessed us with. I know that he'll be with us in spirit when watching the U.S. on their march towards South Africa, understanding that most every memory of him, be it shared or personal, will put a smile on our faces. The community of U.S. Soccer supporters has lost a good, good friend and as loyal and passionate a fan as they come, and he'll never, ever be forgotten. God Bless you Dave, Evan
Dave was an extraordinary guy. Germany 2006 was the 7th straight year that Dave, Sean and I had made an International Football Trip. Our travels took us to Spain, Scotland, Korea, France, England, Holland, and finally Germany. Throw in WC Qualifiers and he had 20 caps cheering on the USA. We could always count on Dave to be there. Dave was glue - the kind of guy who kept a group together. It's so damn painful to look at pictures from our travels right now. On Monday night Dave stumbled off a boat docked in Lake Michigan while watching the fireworks. Dave didn't know how to swim and although help came as quickly as it could, they were unable to save him. Dave was too young for this. There are so many good times that remain unfulfilled, so many more matches to watch and discuss/argue/laugh over, so many pints left to lift as we follow this crazy game whereever it led us. After the Ghana match I asked Sean if we were doing the right thing by bringing up our kids to be Football fans and exposed to this pain and frustration... but now as I reflect the opportunity to know and spend time with Dave and all of you that makes up our extended soccer family - I know it's the right thing. Rest in Peace Dave
wow, I'm at a loss for words. I had really gotten to know Dave in Germany and hung out with him during the US/Italy match. I had met him at other matches, but this was the first time I really got to know the guy. He was an amazing guy and I was looking forward to the next matches to meet up with him. Super sincere man. Damn, I'm really sad right now and I never get emotional.
My sincerest condolances to his family and friends. I lowered my flag to half staff in honor today. If there is any kind of fund being setup please let us know. Bd
My prayers will be with Dave, his family and friends. I did not know him, but this thread is a testament to how he touched other people's lives.
I am saddened by the loss. As a person who travelled to Korea and Germany as well, it hurts that one of USA's Finest is gone... RIP.
Damn that sucks... I didn't know Dave by name, and I can't be certain that I was ever introduced to him, but I would imagine that we stood near each other at some matches over the last several years, so he is my brother. I'm glad that if he had to be taken away much too soon, that at least he spent some of his last days doing the things le loved to do so much. RIP