Gonzalo Briones

Gonzalo M. Briones, age 68, passed away on May 17, 2025, in Mesquite, TX, after a short battle with esophageal cancer. Gonzalo was born on January 10, 1957, in San Luis Potosí, México, the son of Gloria Martínez Irizarry and Rufino Irizarry.

Gonzalo spent the first 9 years of his life in México, in the care of his Tía Chole, as his mom worked tirelessly to be able to bring her children over to the United States. Upon his arrival to the United States, Gonzalo had to learn English quickly and understand new customs and traditions that he had never experienced. He dove into the new adventure, swiftly adapted, and flourished. He did this while still taking great pride in where he came from. He was proud to be from México while also being proud to be an American citizen.

As he grew up, Gonzalo's family expanded and he became a big brother to five siblings, 3 boys and 2 girls. He took care of his siblings as if they were his own children, making sure they were fed, diapers were changed, and homework was completed. His love and care for his siblings was unparalleled.

In 1973, Gonzalo met the love of his life, Leticia González, while working at a shoe store in Chicago. The two were instant soulmates and married in August of 1975. Their love brought two amazing children into this world, Belinda Leticia Briones and David Gonzalo Briones. Gonzalo's children were his pride and joy. He loved them in such a grand and tenacious way.

Inspired to provide the best life he could for his small family, Gonzalo began working at the Village of Lincolnwood Parks and Recreation Department in Lincolnwood, Illinois. He worked alongside his father-in-law and immersed himself in public works. He learned how to maintain roads, parks, and repaired broken water mains. These responsibilities helped him later in life as he worked on small projects at his own home or his daughter's house.

Gonzalo knew that living in a large city with two small children would have its limitations. So, in 1982, after Leticia found a teaching position in Dallas ISD, Gonzalo moved the entire family to the Dallas area, eventually settling in Mesquite, TX. It was there that Gonzalo and Leticia bought a house and raised their two children. It meant the world to Gonzalo that his children would grow up in a house, with a yard, in a good neighborhood, with excellent schools.

It was difficult for Gonzalo to find work in Dallas upon his arrival. He worked feverishly to find a job during that time, but he was unsuccessful. One day, he walked into a DART building and told someone, "I need a job. It can be anything. I'll sweep floors. I just need a job." DART hired Gonzalo, and he spent the next 30 years of his life serving the Dallas community through his transportation work. He drove buses for a large part of this time at DART. In the mid-1990s, Gonzalo transferred to DART's Light Rail System. Coming from a long line of ferrocarrileros, railroad workers in México, he saw it as an opportunity to honor the work of his ancestors. Gonzalo was instrumental in opening DART's 20-mile light rail system. He mapped out the tracks, pinpointed signal locations, tested trains, and conducted trial runs. He was a hard worker who took a lot of pride in what he did every day. He knew that his work directly impacted the lives of Dallas residents who depended on public transportation.

In 2017, Gonzalo retired from DART to spend more time with his family. This extra free time allowed Gonzalo to travel to San Antonio and Chicago to visit family and friends, while experiencing new adventures in Cabo San Lucas, México. He was also able to spend countless hours working in his yard, which brought him great joy.

While retired, Gonzalo became more involved in his grandsons' daily lives. He picked up the boys from school as needed, shuttled them to and from summer camps, cheered them on as they played soccer and basketball, taught them how to ride their bikes, showed them how to play chess, played catch with them, attended student awards ceremonies, chaperoned class field trips, and so much more. He wanted to be as involved as he could be in the lives of his grandsons. For this reason, the boys will always remember their Abuelito and will always feel a special love for him because "Abuelito was always by our side, in everything, always, because he loved us so much!"

Even as he was slowly slipping away from this Earth, Gonzalo reminded us how we should live our lives, putting our faith in God, understanding that each day is a blessing, and always putting family first. One of his most treasured sayings was "we're family, that's what we do." We will never forget that all encompassing love; we will embrace it for as long as we live, and honor Gonzalo each and every day by being the best versions of ourselves.

Gonzalo M. Briones is survived by his wife Leticia G. Briones, his daughter Belinda Leticia Moran (Michael), his son David Gonzalo Briones, his grandsons Benjamin Enzo Moran and Henry Ignacio Moran, his sisters Ruth Irizarry (George) and Marie James (J.R.), and his brothers Rudy Irizarry and Rey Irizarry (Marisol), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Gloria Martínez Irizarry; father, Rufino Irizarry; and brother, Fernando Briones.

The wake, visitation, and rosary will be on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at New Hope Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens at 500 US-80 in Sunnyvale, TX 75182.

The mass will be on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church on 3030 Gus Thomasson Rd. in Dallas, TX 75228. Burial services to follow at New Hope Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens at 500 US-80 in Sunnyvale, TX 75182.