Henrry Gonzalez Memorial
Donation protected
Our Amigo Henrry Gonzalez passed way on December 13 2021 after a very tough battle with pancreatic cancer. Anyone who came in contact with Henrry knew how quick he was to lend a hand and help in anyway he could. We are putting together this memorial to assist with this heartbreaking loss for Henrry's loving family Dori, Richard, and Veronica Gonzalez.
The MIT family first met Henrry while he was working as a custodian in building NE43 - home the the AI Lab and the Laboratory for Computer Science - his gentleness, generosity, and hard-working spirit quickly became his defining characteristics. The AI and LCS staff who worked closely with him took note of his constant drive to be helpful - above and beyond his prescribed duties - and he became a full time employee of the Institute.
During the move from building NE43 to the newly-completed building 32, Henrry was a key team member and helped get our CSAIL family settled into their new home. Since then, he has kept the mail and packages flowing and has been an integral part of the infrastructure group. Of course, anyone who was fortunate enough to really know Henrry knows that a simple description of his job duties and accomplishments utterly fails to communicate the impact he has had on us all. He was, in the greatest sense, not just a colleague but a family member and a dear friend.
Outside of CSAIL, when Henrry was not busy in family life with his wife Dori and his children Richard and Veronica, he worked relentlessly and at personal cost towards assembling packages of basic supplies and discarded technology to send back to his native country - the Dominican Republic - to ensure that those who were less fortunate than he had been could find some relief from crippling poverty.
Henrry delighted in having company at his home, and loved to cook and feed his friends, as well as to thoroughly trounce anyone brave enough to play him at Dominos, his favorite game. His generous spirit was always present within CSAIL, too - from donating to fundraisers to buying a teammate a cup of coffee or lunch, Henrry was always trying to find ways to give back.
Now we have the opportunity to show the same selfless spirit that Henrry embodied to the family he leaves behind, as they grapple with the new reality of being without him. We ask that you contribute as liberally as you can to help ease the financial strain and uncertainties that his family faces.
The MIT family first met Henrry while he was working as a custodian in building NE43 - home the the AI Lab and the Laboratory for Computer Science - his gentleness, generosity, and hard-working spirit quickly became his defining characteristics. The AI and LCS staff who worked closely with him took note of his constant drive to be helpful - above and beyond his prescribed duties - and he became a full time employee of the Institute.
During the move from building NE43 to the newly-completed building 32, Henrry was a key team member and helped get our CSAIL family settled into their new home. Since then, he has kept the mail and packages flowing and has been an integral part of the infrastructure group. Of course, anyone who was fortunate enough to really know Henrry knows that a simple description of his job duties and accomplishments utterly fails to communicate the impact he has had on us all. He was, in the greatest sense, not just a colleague but a family member and a dear friend.
Outside of CSAIL, when Henrry was not busy in family life with his wife Dori and his children Richard and Veronica, he worked relentlessly and at personal cost towards assembling packages of basic supplies and discarded technology to send back to his native country - the Dominican Republic - to ensure that those who were less fortunate than he had been could find some relief from crippling poverty.
Henrry delighted in having company at his home, and loved to cook and feed his friends, as well as to thoroughly trounce anyone brave enough to play him at Dominos, his favorite game. His generous spirit was always present within CSAIL, too - from donating to fundraisers to buying a teammate a cup of coffee or lunch, Henrry was always trying to find ways to give back.
Now we have the opportunity to show the same selfless spirit that Henrry embodied to the family he leaves behind, as they grapple with the new reality of being without him. We ask that you contribute as liberally as you can to help ease the financial strain and uncertainties that his family faces.
Organizer and beneficiary
Steven Ruggiero
Organizer
Cambridge, MA
Richard Gonzalez
Beneficiary