1961 – 2013

SOUTH PARIS — Roberto Gonzalez, 52, of South Paris left this earth and was escorted into God’s hands on Thursday, Aug. 29, at his home after a trying battle with cancer.

He was born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, on July 6, 1961, the son of Blanca Nieves Miranda and Onesimo Gonzalez Mercado. As a young child, he moved with his family to Brooklyn, N.Y., and then Connecticut. He attended school at PS 274 in New York and New London High School in New London, Conn.

He married Lura Witt in 1982 and had two children, Rob and Jonathan. Lura passed away a few years later of a brain tumor. He later moved to Portland, where he met and married Chelsey Quinn. They were married on Aug. 9, 1997. They have four children, Natasha, Peter, Alicia and Jeremy.

Roberto worked at General Dynamics Electric Boat, Portland Housing Authority, Hope Haven Gospel Mission and on various fishing and lobster boats. He was also a self-employed carpenter. 

He is survived by his wife, Chelsey; six children, Rob and Jonathan (Jay) of Arkansas, Natasha of Norway, and Peter, Alicia and Jeremy of South Paris; five grandchildren, Kayden, Parker, Craigin and Madison, all of Arkansas, and Jaylin of Maine; his mother, “Blanca” Rosa Nieves of Maine; his stepmother, Andrea of Connecticut; three brothers, Alberto of Maine, Hector of Connecticut and Franky of Florida; a sister, Norma of Connecticut; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Lura; his father, Onesimo Gonzalez; his grandparents; and his infant granddaughter, Aurorah.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.