Popular League Sports Coach Joselito Gonzaga Dies

A beloved coach for several Pleasanton league sports has died.

Joselito Gonzaga was known for coaching the Pleasanton Girls Softball League (PGSL), the Pleasanton Junior Football League (PJFL) and Girls Basketball League.

In a newsletter for the PJFL from last year, Gonzaga was praised for "the determination and heart" he showed as a coach for his team — the Falcons.

In a 2009 issue of Pleasanton Middle School's newsletter, The Panther Press, Gonzaga was also recognized for his dedication to coaching girls basketball.

"Our 20-plus girls 6th grade team had a wonderful learning experience with their coach, Joselito Gonzaga," the newsletter states. "Our girls greatly benefited from your goodwill, knowledge about basketball and your integrity."

Aside from coaching, Gonzaga was also a certified massage therapist at in Pleasanton for the past seven years. His manager Wendy Schmit said Gonzaga was "absolutely irreplaceable."

"He was just the best of the best," she said. "He's so connected to the community and was just such a caring person."

Though information on Gonzaga's passing was not released, the family said they will be sending out an obituary with details on his services. 

Was Joselito Gonzaga a coach for one of your child's sports teams? What will you remember most about him?

Email pleasanton@patch.com with your memories.

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