Long-time Maricopa resident Ted (Sergio) Gomez passed away Monday

On Monday long-time resident and Optimist member Ted (Sergio) Gomez passed away in Maricopa.

Gomez started working at the Volkswagen Proving Ground on June 7, 1993, as a facility maintenance specialist; he was one of its first local employees. He became the official shipping and receiving specialist for vehicles in 1999.

In August 2008 he left his employment due to medical issues.

Gomez’s history with the Proving Ground goes back to his childhood. His family lived and worked the farm that is now the Volkswagen Arizona Proving Ground. As a child he attended grade school in Maricopa and worked in the fields after school in many different roles to help his family. He graduated from Maricopa High School in 1965.

Gomez helped Spanish-speaking people prepare their taxes as a part-time job. As the president of The Optimist Club of Maricopa, he was involved in helping others in the community and children, especially around the holidays. “Every year he wanted to see a bicycle and toys under every kid’s Christmas tree and accomplished a lot of happiness for those with less. He helped in distributing a lot of bicycles, as well as encouragement to good students through award programs and events,” according to Volkswagen’s Martin Teitel.

At the request of the Gomez family, Ted’s wife Grace and children, Volkswagen is collecting donations to help offset funeral expenses. A collection container has been placed in the financial office at the office located at 17169 N. Murphy Rd.

“Please donate what you can; any little bit will help,” said Teitel.

Information on final arrangements for Gomez will be forthcoming.

Submitted photo