Classification Essay

Juan Gonzalez

There are many people who have made an impact on my life. People such as friends, family, or even some of my favorite authors I look up to, but every time I think about it, there is one particular person that comes to mind. My grandfather, Damacio Gonzalez, was one of the people I strived to be like the most. Although he passed away December, 24 of 2014, he showed me the meaning of having manners and being responsible. My grandfather was the closest thing i had to a father. Even though I had my real father around at times, my grandfather was the one who was there for me when I needed the most. He had a very strong work ethic, which was one of the things that stood out about him the most.

He was employed for 30 years as a crane operator with the Kenosha American Motor Company, then later the Chrysler Corporation Plant, until he retired in 1982. My grandfather always had a love for automobiles, and could always be found tinkering, fixing or doing maintenance on his car when he had free time. Following retirement, he worked 12 years as a landscaper with his brother. Even after retirement he was still working as hard as he always has, and is what inspires me to work hard at everything I do. Not only was he known for his strong work ethic, but he was someone you could go to for the best expertise and advice any time you needed. It was the one thing that that made him the center of my entire family.

The greatest joy of my grandfather’s life was his family. I don’t think he enjoyed anything more than spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I still remember the times when our entire family would get together for a cookout, or holiday, and my grandfather would be the one everyone would want to hang out with. His humble ways and the fact that he would never complain about anything, is the very thing drew people close to him, and always has. It is one of