Francisco Gonzalez

My name is Francisco Gonzalez, I moved to West Sacramento in 1975. I was born in Xoconostle Guanajuato, Mexico. I immigrated to the United States alone, at the age of 10 years old shortly after my mother passed away. I am one of 14 and proud to say that all of my biological siblings reside in Yolo County.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to my wife Deanna for 46 years, we’ve raised 5 successful children here in West Sacramento, and now grandparents to 13 beautiful children.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I retired from Wood Rodgers Engineering as a Land Surveyor. I am a proud advocate for migrant rights. I was president of the West Sacramento chapter of LULAC for 5 years, and founder of Citizens Against Police Brutality.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Its hard to choose a favorite, those that know me, know I love food. If I had to choose a few I would say Hings, La Favorita, and El Venado (which closed about 20 years ago).

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived in Yolo County for 47 years, I started Gonzalez Landscaping at the age of 19 and built my first home in the first solar subdivision in the world in Davis.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Its really hard to choose, I’ve had the pleasure to meet some truly amazing individuals. To name a few, my dearest and closet friend The Legendary Al Rojas, Mariko Yamata, John Garimandi, Dave Jones, Paramo Hernandez, Rosalyn Carter, Brian Micik, and so many more!!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
If I could go anywhere in the world, I would visit friends in Oaxaca, Mexico and learn about the rich indigenous culture.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My all time favorite TV show is Smoking Gun.

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t make choices that you’ll regret later in life. We only have one chance to do it right, keep your family close and be kind to the less fortunate.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
The only thing on my bucket list is to be happy and I do that every day.

Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
I enjoy singing Karaoke and my go to songs usually come from Carlos Mora and Vicente Fernandez.

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Back in the day West Sacramento had a race track at the end of West Capitol, my wife and I would take our eldest son Miguel. We always looked forward to our trips there.

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would love to have lunch with a old friend Ami Vera, I haven’t seen him in many years and it would be nice to catch up. I would treat him to lunch at Mayas Taco truck. My order would be 4 asada tacos and a ceviche tostada.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I think its really neat that we have such a tight knit community. We always look out for one another and have the upmost respect for each other.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5 to 10 years I see myself enjoying life with my family.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
At the age of 10 I came to the US and found my way to a small town called Planada and lived in a trunk of a tree for over a year. Fortunately, a kind women found me and took me in. I have 5 step siblings and we lived in the correctional housing unit at California Institution for Men because my step father was associate warden for the prison.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I have been to so many beautiful places, but my favorite would have to be Yosemite.

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
4th of July is my favorite holiday. My wife and I loved taking our kids to the Davis Independence Day Festival to watch the sky divers and fire works.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I love taking my granddaughters on trail rides with their horses and finishing the ride with a swim at the lake. Nothing beats being outdoors making memories.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife inspires me everyday. She supports my crazy ideas and hasn’t ran away after some didnt pan out as well as we hoped.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I love the smell of star jasmine, almond and citrus blossoms.

Q: What is one business you would like to have in West Sacramento? (which we don’t have one already)
Honestly, a construction company that would fix the pot holes on West Capitol. Lol

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Rest, Food, and Family.