Obituary
Fernando “Popeye” Gonzalez

Fernando “Popeye” Gonzalez

Fernando “Popeye” Gonzalez a resident of Fillmore, passed away on June 12, 2008, surrounded by his loving family.
Fernando was born to Jose and Maria “Jesus” Gonzalez on Dec. 7, 1932, in Fillmore.
“Popeye” grew up in Fillmore, attending local schools. He was voted “wittiest” of the calls of 1952, was an outstanding athlete, and talented artist creating the well-known Fillmore High mascot, “The Flashman”. His family owned and operated La Mexicana Market in Fillmore. Fernando left to serve in the U.S. Air Force, but later returned to help with the family business. He received high accolades working as a car salesman throughout the county and eventually opened Popeye’s Tavern in Oak View and later Popeye and the Big Guy Restaurant in Ojai. He relocated to Palm Desert and eventually retired and returned to Fillmore.
Fernando is preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Maria “Jesse” Gonzalez, brother Jose “Pepe” Gonzalez Jr., sister Raquel Ryan and wife Lynn Poole Gonzalez.
He is survived by his children, Debbie (Richard) Hinojosa, Fernando Gonzalez Jr. (Leslie), Laura (Kirk) McDowell, and Nancy (Ricardo) Gonzalez, all of Fillmore, brothers Richard Gonzalez, and Carlos Gonzalez and ex-wife and dear friend, Betty Carreno (Jaime). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Anthony Gonzalez, Richard Hinojosa Jr., Kyle McDowell, Danny Gonzalez, Leah Hinojosa, Matthew McDowell, Ricardo Gonzalez Jr., Kelly McDowell, Krystal Gonzalez, Brittany Gonzalez, Brendan Gonzalez, and Ryan Gonzalez, and great-grandchildren Prayleana McDowell, Anthony Valenzuela, and Maxxwell McDowell. Step-daughters Paula Maxwell, Kim Cavanagh and families.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Pankratz and the Assisted Home Hospice staff for all of their care.
A vigil will be held Thursday at 8:00 p.m. located at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore. A Mass will be held on Friday June 20, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. located at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore.
Assisting the family with funeral arrangements is the family owned and operated Rose-Perez Funeral Home & Cremation. “Our Families Putting Your Family First”. Telephone (805) 484-6365.