MIGUEL ANGEL GOMEZ

Born in 1947, in Guayama, Miguel grew up with the beautiful island of Puerto Rico as a backdrop to his childhood. He would recall stories of his younger years fishing in streams and eating fresh fruit and vegetables he picked himself, or watching his mother, Virginia Rivera run her restaurant, an experience that would shape his work ethic. Miguel's childhood growing up as one of eleven children developed within him a resilience and ingenuity that he continued to develop when he travelled to the U.S. Mainland with his mother, where at an early age he began working to build a life. As a young man, he would settle in New Jersey, marrying Evelyn Santos in December of 1966. This union would bless him with two sons, Michael Gomez and Santos Gomez. Miguel would later marry Shelia Williams in February of 1979 and this union would bless him with three daughters, Michele Sheree Gomez-Leffall, Sharina Neche Gomez and Jerilyn Monique Gomez.

In their early years, Miguel raised his girls in Woodbine, NJ surrounded and loved by friends and family. Applying the work ethic and persistence he learned from his mother, he would serve as an apprentice and become a Master Plumber, building a career thanks to the opportunity provided to him by his friend and mentor Michael “Mike” Gardner. He built countless relationships and grew his family including the bond he shared with his daughter’s godfather, Jerry Genovese. Miguel would become a larger-than-life figure in his community of Woodbine, NJ, coming a long way from the little boy in Puerto Rico.

Life would take Miguel on a journey from coast to coast, ultimately settling down south. After spending the remainder of his girls’ school age in California, he then built a life between the “East Coast” and Texas to be near his grandchildren. Miguel ultimately settled into his retirement with his oldest daughter, Michele and her family in Texas. Miguel found a renewed purpose in life as a grandfather and this chapter of his life provided him a renewed opportunity to pass on the principles he learned from his own family - honesty, integrity, hard work, persistence. He cherished the opportunity to attend sporting events, birthday celebrations, Christmas mornings and the simple day to day of living with his grandchildren. Miguel regularly sang the praises of his grandchildren and felt immense pride at their accomplishments.

Miguel was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ at Greater Exodus Baptist Church, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During this time, he served the church in a maintenance role and was known for having saved the church a significant financial burden when he was able to replace the plumbing system independently after hearing about the high quote cost received from a contractor. This was his nature, helping others. Back in Texas, he donated his time and skills once again to the Apostolic Tabernacle church in Fort Worth, TX installing bathrooms and flooring for the congregation. Miguel had a genuine spirit of service which he demonstrated and passed on to his family.

Miguel understood the power of knowledge, watched the news and discussed current events with a passion. He was a proud voter and was looking forward to the upcoming presidential election but also followed politics locally, including local elections in Woodbine, NJ. He would want his loved ones to exercise their vote and participate in this process he found so important. Known for his love of salsa music, he would joke that he could not control his need to dance when it played. He would want to be remembered dancing to salsa music - celebrating life. 

Throughout his life he was affectionately referred to as "Papi" and would serve as a father figure to both his biological and "adopted" children along the way. He is survived by his sons, Michael Gomez, Santos Gomez, and Jared Williams, his daughters, Michele Sheree (Leffall), Sharina Neche, and Jerilyn Monique (Nisbett), and his beloved grandchildren, A'lexus, William, Landon, Jerrell Jr., Sinidria, John, Saveion, Mackenzie, Jared Miguel, Jayden, Nina, Joshua, Mari, Jaymielle, Jaxon and Jordan. He is also survived by four brothers, Wilfredo Gomez Sr., Angel Luis Gomez, Hermogene Gomez, and Jose Gomez, and six sisters, Ignasia Gomez, Monserrate Gomez, Mirta Milagros Gomez, Maria Titina Gomez and Maria Silvia Gomez. He is predeceased by his mother, Virginia Rivera, father, Hermogene Gomez, brother, Juan Gomez, and sisters Andrea Gomez, Antonia Gomez and Mirta Milagros Gomez.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 12pm - 1:30pm at the Iglesia Pentecostal Remanso de Paz in Woodbine, NJ located at 612 Franklin St.

A private family viewing will be held at the Iglesia Pentecostal Remanso de Paz church on the same morning from 11:00am to 11:20 am. A public viewing will be held from 11:20am to 12:00pm. A repast will be held immediately after the funeral service at the American Legion Post 298 located at 525 Washington Ave.

A celebration of life tribute will be held on November 2, 2024 in Waxahachie, TX for friends and family in the Texas area.