Booster of everything Pueblo gives time, money

By Jeff Letofsky
The Pueblo Chieftain
Feb. 1, 2020

I was fortunate enough to sit and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with Art on many occasions. He would share stories about his life and his love for baseball and the CSU-Pueblo team.

It was during one of those occasions that, along with CSU-Pueblo head coach Stan Sanchez, the idea of a Pack the Park event came to light.

Art Gonzales

When the idea was presented, Art immediately volunteered to finance the event.

Pack the Park in Pueblo started 16 years ago and has been an annual love affair with the Gonzaleses and their kids ever since.

The baseball and softball teams conduct free clinics prior to the Pack the Park game and Art and Lorraine have been front and center in making the event one of the most successful year after year.

And watching Art throw out the first pitch for that game was always memorable.

What will I remember most about Art Gonzales?

It was his passion for the game of baseball and willingness to become involved to see a vision come to fruition.

He constantly preached about giving student-athletes an opportunity to get their education and degrees. That was why he gave so much. Seeing young people achieve success on and off the athletic field fulfilled his dream.

Even during the dedication of the soccer and lacrosse complex on the CSU-Pueblo campus that is named Art & Lorraine Stadium in their honor, he was thinking baseball.

During the ceremony, he was quick to point out to the crowd that gathered for the dedication that a baseball game was going to be played the next day.

That was Art.

That was who he was.

Rest in peace, my friend.

You hit a home run in life.