Brother Antonio Gonzaga, FSC, a De La Salle Christian Brother in the District of San Francisco for nearly half a century, died peacefully at the Christian Brothers’ retirement community in Napa, California, on November 26, 2007. He was 84 years old.

Brother Antonio was born Simeon Hael Gonzaga on September 20, 1923, in Manila, Philippines, to Placido Gonzaga and Gregoria Hael. He was a member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools for 49 years, beginning his association with the Brothers when he entered the Novitiate at Mont La Salle in Napa, California, in 1958. He received the religious habit on August 14, 1958, and made his final vows on June 20, 1964, at Saint Mary’s College, Moraga, California.

Brother Antonio studied at Saint Mary’s College of California and at La Salle University in Philadelphia, where he earned a master’s degree in theology in 1963.

He served for many years (1962 to 1977, and again from 1982 to 2003) at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco, where he played many roles: teacher, assistant alumni director, counselor, and mentor. He also served as a teacher at San Joaquin Memorial High School (1979-1980) and as an assistant professor at De La Salle University in Manila (1977).
In 1981, Brother Antonio was one of the founding Brothers of Centro La Salle in Tijuana, Mexico, a tuition-free school for young and older adults who wish to earn their GED equivalent in secondary education or to continue their learning process. He was also a volunteer with the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Catholic Committee for the Aged, the San Francisco Family Service Agency, the International Rescue Committee, and other community agencies. Brother Antonio retired to the Holy Family Community at Mont La Salle in 2003.

Brother Antonio is survived by his half-brother, Manuel H. Guarina, OD of National City, California; his niece, Olivia H. Hagos, RN, MA of St. Augustine, Florida; his nephew, Joe H. Guarina of Phoenix, Arizona; his niece, Marilou G. Lomangaya of Antipolo City, Philippines and a cousin, Armando Hael of Honolulu, Hawaii.

The funeral liturgy and interment in the Brothers’ cemetery are at Mont La Salle in Napa on Saturday, December 1. Mont La Salle is at 4401 Redwood Road, Napa, California. Notes and testimonials may be sent to District Archives, Mont La Salle, PO Box 3720, Napa CA 94558-0372.

Donations in Brother Antonio’s memory may be made to the Lasallian Education Fund, De La Salle Institute, P O Box 3720, Napa CA 94558-0372.