Antonio Gomez

Antonio D. (Tony) Gomez passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Oct. 15 at his home in Ketchum, ID. Tony was born near Malaga, Spain in 1913 and came to the US in 1920, eventually settling with his parents and siblings in Mill Valley, CA. After a few years working as a news photographer he found his vocation as a commercial pilot. He started flying in Alaska as a bush pilot, and then joined Pacific Northern Airlines (PNA) in 1945. He continued flying for PNA as it merged first with Western and then Delta Airlines, retiring in 1973. Following his commercial flying career, he continued his love of flying into his 95th year, first as a glider pilot, then paragliding. In his next business endeavor after commercial flight he returned to California with his wife Elizabeth and purchased a vineyard in the Napa Valley, which he successfully operated until selling it in 1986. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying climbing, skiing, fishing and sailing. He traveled extensively, visiting all of the continents many times, except Antarctica. He will be remembered by friends and family for his love of sharing a good meal and a bottle (or two) of wine. He was predeceased by his wife of 44 (?) years Elizabeth Weeks, and their son John A. Gomez. He is survived by two children, Margaret G. Ginn (widow of Frank H. Ginn) and Thomas C. Gomez (wife Merrilee Gomez); and six grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Peter V. Ginn, Thomas A. (Tony) Ginn, (wife Mary Bush Port: ch., Georgia and John (Huck); and Sarah Ginn Harris (husband Greg Harris: ch. William and Hadley) Kevin Haworth (wife Alicia Haworth) Emmanuel R. Gomez (wife Katherine Gomez: ch. Felix and River), and Elizabeth N. D. (Nuria) Gomez.