Fire center's Gonzalo dies

LAND O'LAKES -- Five weeks ago, Amador Gonzalo learned that he was going to die.

He didn't act scared. But he didn't want to talk about it.

He spent time with his family. He told his two sons to take care of their mother. And he told everyone he loved them.

On Thursday morning, Mr. Gonzalo, former emergency services director in Pasco County, died at University Community Hospital. He was 69.

"He was a very gentle man," said his wife, Sylvia. "I don't think anyone had anything bad to say about him."

Mr. Gonzalo went to the hospital on Feb. 6 after a serious coughing fit, his wife said. She thought he had pneumonia, but doctors detected fluid around his heart and diagnosed him with cancer. They think it started in his lungs and spread, Mrs. Gonzalo said.

"He told me to be strong for him," Mrs. Gonzalo said. "That's what I'm doing."

Mr. Gonzalo was born in Tampa and graduated from Jesuit High School. He joined the Tampa Fire Department in 1956. He worked his way up to district chief and retired in 1980.

In 1982, he was hired as the emergency services director of Pasco County. He had that position for 13 years. The fire department training center is named after Mr. Gonzalo.

Mr. Gonzalo is credited with integrating the county's fire and ambulance services, as well as upgrading equipment across the fire district.

Pasco Fire Chief Anthony Lopinto, who has known Mr. Gonzalo for years, spent time with Mr. Gonzalo at Christmas. He was healthy and enjoying retirement.

Just a few weeks later, Mr. Gonzalo was in the hospital.

"It completely took me by surprise," Lopinto said. "He was a good friend. He was a good person."

Mr. Gonzalo is survived by two sons, Ronald and Stephen, both firefighters in Hillsborough County; two sisters, Lucie Lizarzaburu and Lydia Ficcarotta; and three grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Marsicano Funeral Home, 4040 Henderson Blvd. in Tampa. Services will be at the same location at 10 a.m. Monday.

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