HARTFORD, Conn. — Jose Antonio Gonzalez was laid to rest Saturday.
Gonzalez, a Hartford resident more affectionately known as TJ, lost his life saving his two daughters at a beach in Puerto Rico. Dozens of tow truck drivers from his employer Central Auto and Transport and all-over, including Florida, participated in the procession and attended the services for TJ’s burial.
“It’s the kind of loss kind that’s devastating,” said Ed Gibbon of Central Auto and Transport Operations. “It’s devastating to the company. It’s devastating to his friends and family. It’s just it’s been a very very tough week.”
Mimi Gonzalez, the sister of TJ, said Highway Angels, a nationwide truck organization contacted them as well.
Troy Curtis now lives in Florida, but use to work with TJ at Central Auto and Transport. He wanted to be present to honor TJ.
“There’s not a lot of people around in this world that are like how TJ was,” Curtis said. “TJ was all about his kids, his wife, and making money to make ends meet. He was a real standup guy and I just drove 1200 miles to say goodbye to him and that should tell you the type of dude he was.”
TJ’s nieces bravely shared the story with FOX61 News this week and said how their family lost their 42-year-old uncle in a tragic beach accident in Puerto Rico. They said he drowned while heroically saving the lives of his two daughters. Lexis Gonzalez flew to Puerto Rico to be with the family and her aunt.
“Right when she seen me and my mom all she could do was cry and cry,” she said. “He was her best friend so it was not also losing her husband, it was losing her best friend, her soulmate, and her rock.”
“It’s still hard to even keep saying,” said Huertas. “My uncle. My uncle. This was my family. It’s really hard.”
TJ and his wife Leslie both worked at Central Auto and Transport, which Huertas said provided financial support for the family.
“The way he passed away it just tells you his character,” which Curtis said. “He was a selfless individual and it’s a sad situation.”
Central Auto and Transport Tow Truck Driver Robert Labbe said TJ was a hard worker.
“Somebody that’s there when you need him and those guys are hard to come by,” Labbe said. “He was here every day. Never had an excuse. Always on the job. Same things with his wife. She was always here at dispatch. We can count on her anytime.”
LeeAnn Greco and her husband, owners of Central Auto and Transport said TJ and his wife are like family to them and that employees have been reaching out to find ways they can offer support. She said it was a great loss.
The words “In Memory of TJ” were posted by the flashing lights on his tow truck. It led the truck procession to The Ahern Funeral Home.
The Go Fund Me Page for TJ raised over $25,000, the initial goal, and people continue to donate, which indicates the impact he had on his friends, family, tow truck drivers and this community.
TJ’s sister Mimi started a petition urging the Puerto Rican government to post more warnings at beaches. She also said the family is grateful for the emotional and financial support received and thankful for support received in Puerto Rico.
“We are at a very great loss here,” Greco said. “Not only as owners, for his coworkers. He was really just such a great mentor to some of the other guys that worked here.”
“She referred to him, always to me three days a week, he was the yin to her yang,” Greco said.
A Go Fund Me page continues to raise money for the Gonzalez family after exceeding its initial $25,000 goal for funeral expenses.
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