Obituary for Roy Oliver "Butch" Gonia Jr.
Roy Oliver “Butch” Gonia Jr., 78, passed away Jan. 26, 2020, at his home in Mentor.
Born Feb. 9, 1941, in Toledo, the son of the late Roy and Velma (nee Stall) Gonia, he had lived in Liberty Center before moving to Lake County more than two years ago.
Roy spent four years in the U.S. Navy after graduating from Libby High School in 1959. He spent two years stationed on Midway Island, where he was introduced to scuba diving and was able to dive in the South Pacific, Aruba and Mexico. Roy married Sharon Gallant in 1965, the same year he became a Toledo Police patrolman, a career that lasted 27 years. His love of the water continued after he retired from the police department, when he became a charter captain on Lake Erie. Roy was an avid golfer who golfed in the Police Retiree League. He also loved watching football and enjoyed snow skiing. Roy was a member of the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association Retirees, Bayview Yacht Club, Henry County Sportsman’s Club, American Legion Post 300, Maumee Elks and St. John Vianney.
Roy was the beloved husband of 54 years to Sharon (nee Gallant) Gonia; loving father of Kelly (Paul) Javorek of Concord Township, Chris (Stacey) of Toledo, and Tracy (Jeff Schaedel) of Camas, Wash.; cherished grandfather of Ryan and Lauren Javorek, Samantha and Emily Gonia and Anna, Page and Jake Weithas; and brother of Tom (Kathy).
Family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 6330 Center St., (Route 615, north of Route 2), in Mentor, with a memorial service to follow at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Mentor Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110, or Lake County Humane Society, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060.
To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.
Born Feb. 9, 1941, in Toledo, the son of the late Roy and Velma (nee Stall) Gonia, he had lived in Liberty Center before moving to Lake County more than two years ago.
Roy spent four years in the U.S. Navy after graduating from Libby High School in 1959. He spent two years stationed on Midway Island, where he was introduced to scuba diving and was able to dive in the South Pacific, Aruba and Mexico. Roy married Sharon Gallant in 1965, the same year he became a Toledo Police patrolman, a career that lasted 27 years. His love of the water continued after he retired from the police department, when he became a charter captain on Lake Erie. Roy was an avid golfer who golfed in the Police Retiree League. He also loved watching football and enjoyed snow skiing. Roy was a member of the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association Retirees, Bayview Yacht Club, Henry County Sportsman’s Club, American Legion Post 300, Maumee Elks and St. John Vianney.
Roy was the beloved husband of 54 years to Sharon (nee Gallant) Gonia; loving father of Kelly (Paul) Javorek of Concord Township, Chris (Stacey) of Toledo, and Tracy (Jeff Schaedel) of Camas, Wash.; cherished grandfather of Ryan and Lauren Javorek, Samantha and Emily Gonia and Anna, Page and Jake Weithas; and brother of Tom (Kathy).
Family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 6330 Center St., (Route 615, north of Route 2), in Mentor, with a memorial service to follow at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Mentor Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110, or Lake County Humane Society, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060.
To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.