ROCKFORD — Our father, Gonzalo Augusto Valdivieso Moreno of Rockford passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020, surrounded by family. He was born on July 29, 1933 in Loja, Ecuador, to Dr. Sebastian Valdivieso Pena and Julia Valdivieso Moreno.

He had a very distinguished life.  He studied law and received his degree in Public, Social and Political Science from the Central University, Quito, Ecuador.

Among his many jobs he taught Political Science at the Military Academy (Abdon Calderon) in Quito. 

He later became the assistant to the Minister of Government and Politics, Director of the National Police of Ecuador, and First Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Ecuador (Congress of Ecuador).  

He arrived in the U.S. on Dec. 13, 1963 as a permanent resident he later became a U.S. citizen.

He was the Bilingual Supervisor and teacher for the elementary and junior high schools in Rochelle.

He was facilitator of the Migrant Summer Schools as well as Bilingual Coordinator for Genoa-Kingston Schools. He taught at the Kings Gifted in Rockford school and Auburn Gifted Academy. He volunteered at RACVB Chicago Rockford International Airport. In addition to working at J.C. Penny’s in Rockford. 

Traveled to most of the Democratic countries of Latin America and Europe.

He is survived by his wife, Cecilia; his children from his first marriage, Monica Finnestad, Gonzalo (Carolyn), Ivan (Sonja), Ramiro (Margaret), Xavier (Jeana), and Lorena Meyers (Scott); grandchildren, Yvette Finnestad, Nicole Finnestad, Sarah Vallejo (Juan), David Valdivieso (Kortnee), Anna Smith (Tom), Christopher Valdivieso, Tony Valdivieso, Joshua Valdivieso, Benjamin Valdivieso (Megan), Gabriel Valdivieso (Larissa), Elijah Valdivieso (Ally), Courtney Meyers and Spencer Meyers; great-grandchildren, Dante Finnestad, Isaic Finnestad, Brooklynn Finnestad, Tylin Turntine, Ashlyn Vallejo, Audra Vallejo, Caleb Smith, Theo Smith, Bo Valdivieso, Raylan Valdivieso and Noah Meyers; his stepchildren, Sandra, Lina, Claudia, Carlos and Patricia; his step-grandchildren and great- grandchildren, Nick (Claire) Pappas, Melissa Pappas, Jennifer Wright, Selena (James) Marishler, Johnny (Swaney) Jass, Maria (Jeremy) Whitehead, Jorge Mier, Paola (Paul) Touchstone and Nicole Montana.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jorge and German Valdivieso, and special friend Fred Rivera. 

He is also survived by his sister, Guisela, and many beloved nieces and nephews from Ecuador.

He was a very respected man, loving father, husband, brother, uncle, friend and loved by many.  

Visitation will be held on Monday, Dec. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Honquest Funeral Homes with Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Rd. Loves Park, Il 61111.

Funeral service for Gonzalo Augusto Valdivieso Moreno will be held at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Drive in Rockford on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m.

Memorial’s can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org.