Herminio T. Gonzalez

Herminio “Herman” “Chop Chop” T. Gonzalez, age 86, of Lorain, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at his daughter’s residence in Lakewood following a lengthy illness.

Born May 22, 1938, in Utuado, Puerto Rico, to Felipe and Joaquina (nee Torres) Martel, Herman moved to Lorain when he was 18 years old. He worked for Wolfe and Piazza greenhouses for several years while also working at former US Steel, former Kolbe Steel and Republic Steel. He was a member of USW 1104 and of Sacred Heart Chapel.

Herman was an 8th degree black belt in karate, 6th degree black belt in Judo and 4th degree black belt in Budokan. He was also inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in the mid-1980s. The founder of Okinawan School of Karate, Herman trained students in martial arts for 47 years. His legacy lives on in all his former students and those that have gone on to teach others, including Herman’s own grandson.

A jack of all trades, Herman enjoyed working with his hands, gardening and was very skilled at restoring cars. He used his skills to help others, including restoring Wolfe’s Rolls Royce. Herman also loved reading, watching Western movies as well as dancing and listening to all types of music.

Surviving is his wife of 63 years, Widia (nee Rivera) Gonzalez; children, Mary Ellen Gonzalez, Herman (Michelle) Gonzalez, Angela (Terry) Miller, Christopher Gonzalez and Nellie (Dario) Caraballo; grandchildren, Phillip, Jennifer, Antoinette, PJ, Luis, Danielle, Alex, Brittany, Christopher, Eloina, Natalie, Shyann, Celia and Angelo; 7 great grandchildren, as well as his brother, Juan Luis and sisters, Andrea and Jenoveva.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents as well as two brothers.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 18 from 4 – 8 p.m. at Dovin Funeral & Cremation Specialists, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain. Visitation will also be held on Monday, August 19 from 8:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Avenue, Lorain. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.