Obituary of John Joseph Gonda

In Loving Memory of

JOHN JOSEPH GONDA

John Gonda, 89, of Palm Bay, Florida, passed from this life and into the presence of Jesus in eternal glory Saturday evening, April 8, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born in Erie, PA July 21, 1933, son of the late Michael and Pauline (Janosik) Gonda. He was born and raised on the 160-acre Gonda Family dairy farm and worked hard from an early age carrying out daily responsibilities. As a child, he enjoyed trapping small games on the farm. He attended Academy High School where he competed in wrestling. He went on to spend some time in college and chose to enlist in the Navy in May of 1953 and served on the USS Hornet, USS Yorktown, and finally on the USS Valley Forge completing his term of service in April of 1957. During his time in the Navy, he became a skilled electrician and continued in this profession as a commercial and residential tradesman until he retired to Florida in 2014. He loved bowling, hunting, spending time in nature, and playing pinochle. John lived an incredible and long life touching so many people throughout the years with his generosity, kindness, and humor. He loved his family and dedicated his life to providing for his children. He taught his family hard work, dedication, perseverance, loyalty, faithfulness to family, and most importantly he exemplified selflessness and sacrifice. After a short illness, John spent his last days praying with his family by his side and drawing comfort from his faith in Jesus. We rejoice that Dad is currently in his glorious state with no more pain, no more suffering, and eternal joy. We love you, John Gonda! You will be greatly missed, but we’ll see you again when we meet in Heaven.

John was preceded in death by his father Michael, his mother Pauline, his siblings Mary and Steve in infancy, his brothers Albert, Walter, Michael, and Leonard, his sisters Margaret, Anna, and Helen, his son Scott, and his son-in-law Keith Alloway. Survivors include sister Eleanor, brother Steve, son Michael, daughter Donna Alloway, son Jeremiah and daughter-in-law Laura, son Stephen and daughter-in-law Roxanne, and son John and daughter-in-law Marlea. John is also survived by nineteen grandchildren: Kortney, Ridge, Ryan, Isabella, Kylie, Ezra, Avner, Daniel, Liel, Eliana, Judah, Eva, Rachel, Malachi, Mayan (baby girl on the way), Gabriel, Eden, Gavin, and Owen, and three great-grandchildren Anna, Kaden, and Michaela.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 25, at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care in Palm Bay, FL. The viewing will be held from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, with the service starting at 12:00pm.

Ammen Family - Palm Bay address:

950 Malabar Rd SE

Palm Bay, FL 32907