MDI High School Dedicates Gym Floor in Jamie Gonzales’ Memory

On Wednesday night, February 7th prior to the MDI-Ellsworth Boy's Basketball Game, MDI Principal Matt Haney announced that MDI High School was dedicating the gym floor in Jamie Gonzales' Memory, and the floor would be known as the Jamie Gonzales Court.

There couldn't be anything more fitting to honor Jamie, as he spent more time on the court than other individual!

Here's what Principal Matt Haney said in the dedication

On behalf of MDIHS Athletic Director Bunky Dow and the MDI High School Community I am honored to have this opportunity to acknowledge and recognize a long-standing MDI High School employee, Mr. Jamie Gonzales. In July, Jamie passed away after valiantly battling cancer. Jamie graduated in the inaugural MDI High School class of 1969. After graduation, he worked at the high school for nearly 50 years. Jamie was a kind, passionate person who always had a smile on his face. Students and staff alike could count on Jamie smiling, telling jokes, or checking how they were doing. His kindness and caring traits are what made him so special. Jamie had a positive outlook, no matter the situation.

Jamie truly enjoyed his job and looked forward to seeing the students daily. Often, if a student didn’t have money for lunch or couldn’t afford a new pair of sneakers, Jamie ensured that they were taken care of and didn’t expect anything in return. In all my years of knowing Jamie, I never saw him get mad or upset with anybody except when somebody pushed him out of the spot at the Manset corner, where he sold firewood during the summertime to help fund scholarships for the graduating seniors. You didn’t want to interfere with him when he was helping out the students!!! Jamie was dedicated to helping alumni further their education through the Joseph Musetti and Mary Gonzales scholarships.

Jamie enjoyed telling jokes and making people smile. On snowy mornings the students would be temporarily elated to learn from Jamie that we were going to “have a ½ a day of school after lunch.” Jamie was a person who just enjoyed making anybody laugh and feel good about themselves. He had a heart of gold and was a wonderful person who lived and enjoyed life to its fullest. Nobody in the history of this school has walked up and down this basketball court more times than Jamie Gonzales. His passion for basketball and his care and pride in keeping the floor shining and ready for the game endures today. MDI high school is proud to proclaim, that from this moment forward, the basketball floor in the Bernard Parady Gymnasium will be known as The Jamie Gonzales Court. If he were with us tonight in person, I’m sure he would be very honored, and I’m incredibly proud that we can keep his memory alive by making this gesture of appreciation in honor of Jamie Gonzales. Thank you for being here tonight to help us honor Jamie and enjoy the game. Go TROJANS

Jamie Gonzales passed away on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023. There wasn't a bigger supporter of MDI High School and a nicer man. I'm sure his blood bled green.

Back on February 4th, 2015 Jamie was surprised when Athletic Director Bunky Dow stopped him from sweeping the court prior to the MDI-Ellsworth Girl's Basketball Game, a perfect time given his love of MDI Athletics. He received numerous, richly deserved standing ovations, and some great gifts.

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