Jose Antonio Gotay was a loving father, grandfather, brother and friend. Jose entered the warm embrace of the Lord our Father on September 26, 2022, at age 68.
He was born to Master Sergeant Jose Ramon Gotay and homemaker Esperanza Cervantes Gotay on November 21, 1953. Jose grew up in Caparra Heights, San Juan, Puerto Rico, with his six brothers and sisters. As a child, Jose lived in Utah, Hawaii, and California based on his father’s military assignments. Following in his father’s footsteps, Jose was commissioned into the military in 1979 as a First Lieutenant. Jose continued serving his country and enjoyed 30 years as an Army Engineer, retiring as a Colonel and 39 years in the United States Intelligence Community.
Dedicated and inspiring, Jose was a lifelong learner and mentor, earning three masters in geodesy and photogrammetry, information systems, and strategic studies, as well as a Doctorate in Management and Organizational Leadership. Jose also taught for more than 10 years at the collegiate level and mentored numerous soldiers and students throughout his career.
Accolades aside, Jose’s greatest pride were his children. He dedicated his life to providing and caring for his five children (Jose, Janice, Jonathan, Johanna, and Joshua). He prioritized time with them and his grandchildren. Jose particularly looked forward to hosting Thanksgiving, which always fell near his birthday.
A renaissance man, Jose taught himself how to play the guitar, fix cars, remodel homes, and build computers. While living in Puerto Rico, Jose enjoyed a short stint as a guitarist in a brilliant band, according to him. His love of God, delicious food, the beach, and Latin music, including Los Panchos, were mainstays in his life. Jose found comfort in the community of Jubilee Christian Church and Lock Haven Baptist Church.
Jose was selfless, kind and loving, going out of his way to help others, always with a smile. He loved life and always kept a positive attitude. Jose is now at peace and reunited with his beloved mother and father.
Jose is survived by his six brothers and sisters, Ana Marina Gotay Cox, Esperanza Gotay Goico, Jose Ramon Gotay Jr, Israel Enrique Gotay, Jorge Gotay and Mary Gotay; his beloved five children, Jose Gotay, Janice Fonseca (Melvin), Jonathan Gotay, Johanna Hild (Chris), Joshua Gotay (Laura), and his adored 11 grandchildren, Jamilex, Javier, Giovanni and Seth Gotay, Jessica Suarez, Joshua and Jana Fonseca, Jonathan Gotay Junior, and Charles Anthony, Lily Angelina and Ethan Joseph Hild.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Conrad and Thompson funeral home. A funeral service is scheduled for October 21, 2022 at 9:00 am at Lock Haven Baptist Church (14246 Boggy Creek Road, Orlando Florida 32824). Burial service will follow at 1:30 pm at Florida National Cemetery.