Ramon Coronado Gonzales, the man renowned for bringing Christmas miracles to children in South Tucson for almost a half century, passed away Thursday, Dec. 17, due to complications from COVID-19.
Gonzales was the founder of Miracle on 31st Street Christmas party, an event that grew from a backyard barbecue on Christmas Eve into a seasonal party that gifted toys to 10,000 children annually.
βOutside of his family, the party was the most important thing in his life. He started doing it with his mother and when she passed on, he continued with it. It is what he lived for,β said Gonzalesβ son, William.
As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the annual Christmas en el Barrio used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec 18, 2020. At 9 a.m. when the event officially kicked off there were over 150 vehicles in line. Over a thousand were expected to come through by the end of the day.
A limited number of volunteers, which added up to just under 50, were present from Nova Home Loans and other community supporters to help welcome vehicles and organize and distribute over $1,600 worth of toys. (Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star)
Begun as a small gathering for the Gonzales children and a few friends, the event grew over 49 years into a beloved tradition that impacted generations of South Tucsonans, many of whom attended as children and returned as adults with their own kids.
Others came back to give time, money or toys to perpetuate the Christmas miracle, which also garnered support from local businesses, law enforcement, government agencies and civic and social groups citywide.
Gonzales was often surprised by the longevity and scale of the party, which grew so large after several decades that it was moved to the Tucson Rodeo Grounds and then to Tucson Electric Park. For the past few years, it was held at AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol, where more than 10,000 children and their families received toys, candy, food and visits with Santa, who arrived in a parade of classic cars.
William said the party was a labor of love for his father, a retired sheet-metal worker who was born in South Tucson to Adelaida Coronado Gonzales and Adolfo Gonzales.
βHe pretty much worked on it year-round and was always worried he wouldnβt have enough toys. He never gave up, even if it was down to the last minute where he had to collect a certain number of toys. He wanted to see smiles on the kidsβ faces and see them enjoy Christmas. Throughout his life, he faced pain and hardship and didnβt want others people to feel that way, so he gave what he could to the community,β said William.
Gonzales is survived by his wife of 29 years, Carmen; his sons, Kevin, Manuel, Ramon Adolfo and William; a daughter, Ruth Valdez; several nieces and grandchildren. He is also survived by many long-time friends.
William recognized Ramonβs close friends, Larry Gonzales and Suavecito Martinez, who have coordinated the partyβs classic car parade and helped his father collect toys for the past few years.
Larry Gonzales said a socially distanced version of the parade, excluding toy distribution, will go forward in Ramonβs honor: The βChristmas Caravan Cruise Parade on 31st Street Through South Tucsonβ will be held on Saturday, Dec. 19. Cars, trucks and motorcycles will gather at 8 a.m. at Rudy Garcia Park, more commonly known as Rodeo Park, 5001 S. Nogales Highway, at the corner of South Sixth Avenue and East Irvington Road. The parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. Toys will not be distributed, but there will be special appearances by Santa Claus, the Grinch and other characters.
Photos: Gospel Rescue Mission Christmas Banquet
This is the 23rd annual banquet serving almost 4,000 in South Tucson
Gabriel Ulloa, from Grace to the Nations church, leads dozens of children in a dance during the 23rd annual Christmas banquet at the Gospel Rescue Mission. The organization was expecting 4,000 people for the banquet, said Scott Munro, the director of development for the mission.
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