Obituaries

John “Jack” William Gosen, devoted husband and father of nine, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his Fremont, California home of six decades, surrounded by family on September 11, 2017. He was 93.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Adaline, as well as their children, Anne Nakai (Kazuo) of Newark, Calif., John Gosen Jr. and Frank Gosen of Union City, Calif., Ted Gosen (Terri) of Poway, Calif., James Gosen (Diana) and Mary Martin (Jim) of Fremont, Cathy Gambee (Mike) of Hillsboro, Ore., and Joe Gosen (Nicky) of Bellingham, Wash. Sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive him. His son, Paul Gosen, preceded him in death in 1994. Jack’s parents and his siblings, Mary Jane Sutton, Theodore Gosen Jr. and Julianne Tucker, preceded him in death, as well.

Jack was born on September 10, 1924 to Theodore and Genevieve Gosen of Webster Groves, Missouri. As the youngest of four, he grew up with a love of the outdoors and sports, especially golfing and bowling, all of which he melded into his work life and family life right up to the end. He was not one to boast about his accomplishments or draw attention to himself. Instead, he dedicated his life, with a quiet pride, in service to his family, his church, his collection of plants and flowers, and to birds that arrived for daily feeding in his backyard.

Jack served with the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 aboard the USS Tuscaloosa. After being honorably discharged as a Seaman 1st Class, he studied at University of Texas at Austin for a year before returning to the University of Missouri-Rolla School of Mines and Metallurgy to finish his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering. In 1949 he began his 32-year career as a cartographer with the U.S. Geological Survey, trekking throughout the U.S. and collecting data for topographic maps, many of which he referenced during annual family camping trips and countless Boy Scout outings. During the ‘60s he played an instrumental role in overseeing the construction of Dawn School, an educational and training facility for special needs children and adults in Fremont, and would eventually hold the position of president of the school’s board. Throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s he was the proud personal coach of his son Paul, a Special Olympics athlete.

A parishioner of Holy Spirit Church since 1960, Jack was unwavering about celebrating Sunday Mass. Whether he was cramming his family of 11 into the station wagon in the ‘60s and ‘70s or driving himself until the age of 92, he rarely missed a service. All will miss his warm and welcoming presence.

A visitation and vigil service will take place at Fremont Chapel of the Roses in Fremont on Monday, Sept. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Church on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 10:30 a.m. A private burial will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Special Olympics of Northern California in honor of Jack Gosen (https://www.sonc.org/).