NEWPORT- Alberto Francisco Gonzalez-Blanco (Francis, Fran, Poncho), 63, stepped into Eternity unexpectedly Friday, December 14th, 2018 to reunite with his loving wife of 33 years. He was born on April 26th, 1955 in New York City, NY to his father Alberto Gonzalez-Pares, predeceased, and his mother, Therese Gonzalez-Blanco. He was married to his wife Cheryl Pepin Gonzalez, predeceased, on August 16th, 1980 at St. Agnes Church in Pittsfield. Francis graduated from Karafin Educational Center in Mt. Kisco in 1973. In search of himself, he traveled north to Houlton, Maine where he graduated from Ricker College. While pursuing a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and sciences he made many friends and met the love of his life. After graduation he and Cheryl were married and had 3 children. He eventually graduated from KVCC and earned his journeyman's license as an electrician. Throughout his life, he had various jobs, beginning with his first childhood job as a paperboy. He drove taxis in the Big Apple, worked as a mason with Sal Campoli, sold vacuums for Electrolux, worked various jobs at Hood's (Newport), and performed maintenance on heavy machinery at Eastern Fine Paper (Brewer) as well as at Vic Firth (Newport). He later joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, where he completed the rest of his working career building and renovating hospitals in Augusta and Bangor, Maine. Francis lived passionately and was a lover of music and sports. He was a part of numerous bands throughout his life playing bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, and vocals. Simply enjoying music with his family and friends was one of his favorite past times. He also enjoyed playing sports. Baseball was always close to his heart being the son of a Cuban baseball Hall of Famer. He began playing at a very young age and was very talented. He played in multiple men's softball leagues, played soccer with his college buddies, and took up golf in his later years. When he wasn't playing sports he enjoyed watching them just as much. Most of all he enjoyed watching his beloved New York Yankees, although any game of baseball always caught his attention even if it was rooting against the Red Sox. Francis was also a football fan as he learned to play fantasy football with his sons, always rooting for the Buffalo Bills despite the many heart aching defeats it entailed. Francis loved to spend time with Rufus, his dog companion whom he referred to as "His Buddy". He also enjoyed camping trips with his family to Papoose Pond, visiting and improving a family owned property in Sugar Island, MI, catching up and spending time with friends, debating politics, and going back home to spend time with his family in NY. Above all, he loved his family and was devoted to providing them with a home full of love and kindness. When he became a grandfather, the joy inside him lit a spark that rekindled his love for life. He loved being a grandfather, and cherished the time he spent with his grandson Logan. He was compassionate, generous, reliable, loyal, hard-working and always willing to give a helping hand to anyone in need. He is survived by his mother, Therese of City Island, Bronx, NY; 2 sons, Nicholas of Newport, Anthony and his partner Alanda Duplisea, all of Newport; a daughter, Kristina and her partner Tyler Richardson of Palmyra; 2 sisters, Maria Therese Foley of Georgia, and Maria Gonzalez-Blanco of New York; 2 brothers, Joel and his wife Renee Gonzalez of New York, and John Anthony of New York. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Logan Richardson and Rozlyn Gonzalez. He also leaves behind his brother in law Michael Pepin of Bingham, sister in law Sandra and her husband Brett Crosby of Hermon and brother in law David Pepin of Newport. He will also be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends. He was predeceased by his father, Alberto, his wife Cheryl, and his mother and father in law, Paul and Joyce Pepin of Newport. His wake will take place from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday December 20th at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main Street, Newport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 A. M. Friday, December 21st, at St. Agnes Church in Pittsfield. Spring burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery, Newport.