Etanislao Gonzalez Obituary

Febres Gonzalez
Etanislao Febres Gonzalez
June 6, 1928
December 3, 2024

Etanislao Febres Gonzalez, 96, a proud veteran of the United States Army, passed away peacefully at his home in Fountain, Colorado, on December 3, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Etanislao was born on June 6, 1928, in Santurce, Puerto Rico, to Julian Febres and Julia Arroyo. He called Colorado Springs home for 55 years.

In January of 1951, at the age of 23, he enlisted in the United States Army. On November 21, 1953, he married the love of his life, Rosa Maria De Jesus, of Santurce, Puerto Rico. The two recently celebrated 71 amazing years of marriage.

He valued service highly and quickly attained to the rank of Sargent Major (E-9). As part of this service, he received the following honors:
*Good Conduct Medal with 9th Award
*National Defense Service Medal – Oak Leaf Cluster
*Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device
*Army Commendation Medal (First and Second Oak Leaf Cluster) Vietnam
*The Soldiers Medal for Heroism (Vietnam)
*Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
*Vietnam service medal with four bronze service stars
*Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea)
*Bronze and Silver Star Medals
*Honorably retired after 30 years

A 1974 graduate of St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
He took pride in being a father and providing for his family. He was loved and highly respected by friends and the community who fondly referred to him as "Papa".

He is survived by his loving wife, Rosa Maria (De Jesus) Febres, of Fountain, Colorado; his brother, Trinidad Febres Gonzalez of Carolina, Puerto Rico; Five children - Ada Sanchez (Angel) of Clermont, Florida, Elsa Simpson, Irma Warner (Toran), Delia Butler (Philip), and Victor Luis Febres; Five grandchildren - Dr. G. Alex Simpson (Autumm), Chiantel Taylor (J.R.), PO1st Class Eva Simpson, Jase Coleman Febres, and Miguelle Maria Febres; and five great grandchildren - Arianna Bailey, Bryan Alexander Barnes, Alexa Simpson, Patrick Simpson, and Olivia Simpson.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Julian Febres and Julia Arroyo; son, Orlando Febres; and four siblings – Maria Luisa Febres Gonzalez, Raquel Cotto Febres, Saturnino (Maneco) Febres, and Julian Febres Arroyo.

A service honoring his life will be held on December 16, 2024, at Eastborough Church of the Nazarene, 4123 E. Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a service beginning at 11:30 a.m. A private military burial with full honors will be held at The Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 2:00 p.m.