Ballen Gonzales

Ballen Bill Gonzales was born from the union of Ezekiel Alexious Gonzales and Eletha Ketutrah Phillips-Gonzales on September 4, 1958. From a child Ballen showed signs of exploration and curiosity, in that he always wants to try new things, as a result he was always seems to be very brave. He has never showed signs of fear, Ballen always is willing to try things that will bring progress to his life. He attended the Halfway Tree Primary School where he received a half scholarship in 1969 at the then prestigious Common Entrance Examination. This was an exam that gives an opportunity given to children at the age of 10 to 1 years of age in Jamaican primary schools. Ballen could not take up the offer because of very humble parents who could not afford it at that time. However, he went to the then Tarrant Secondary School where at the age of 15 he still had that exploration attitude in him, so he had a love for race horses, and not only did he participated in betting he had an opportunity to work at the largest bakery in the Caribbean, National Baking Company on Half Way Tree Road as an assistant Sales Representative, where they had horses at the time that pulled the buggy around delivering the products to the corner stores in Jamaica. Ballen worked there for over 30 years. He also worked with the Betting Company of Jamaica as a counter Clerk part time for over ten years while working at the National Bakery. While working at National Bakery he met Carol Saddler and from the union, brought two wonderful children Sherita Gonzales-Cushnie, (daughter) and David Gonzales (son) before they separated over twenty years ago. Ballen then moved on to become a Juice Sales Representative with Big Joe Juice Company where he worked for 3 years before moving to St. Richards Primary in a maintenance position before he migrated to the USA. Brother Ballen who is always Christian minded because of his upbringing in a Christian home kept close to his heart his loving savior Jesus Christ. He was a member of the Catholic Faith in Jamaica. Ballen visited the USA yearly and upon one his visits he met and fell in love with the charming, sweet spirit Clara Reid and decided to make her his wife. They were married on March 20th, 2021, by Bishop Fabian Steele. He was regular visitor at the Mount of God Tabernacle. Ballen worked at Twin Brothers Land Scaping Company. Ballen was a very hard worker one who takes pride in whatever he does, he was decent man and never like argument. Ballen never get the chance to settle in America and do all that he wanted to do for his family especially his wife and kids. Ballen notice a lump growing in his throat and went to the hospital where he was diagnosed with the big C. He was in and out of the hospital fighting this dreaded disease until it got the better of him. I can tell you that he was a fighter, so I know he did put up a good fight. There came a time when he couldn’t fight anymore. The Lord called Ballen home on March 10th, 2023, early in the morning at Yale Hospital. He has left behind to cherish his memories, his wife Clara Reid-Gonzales, Daughter Sherita Gonzales-Cushnie, his son David Gonzales, his stepchildren, grandchildren, mother, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. We all know that when that day shall come and the Lord return we who are in Christ will see him again as it was promised to us in 1 Thessalonians 4: 14 – 17 where it says –For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him ( those that are Christians) According to the Lord’s word we will tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Sweet sleep Ballen Bill Gonzales

Ballen Gonzales

September 4, 1958 - March 10, 2023