Wallingford Mourns ‘The Man In The Sombrero’

WALLINGFORD, CT — The Wallingford community is mourning the loss of Juan Gomez, who was known around town as “the man in the sombrero.”

Gomez, who was regularly seen walking around town and waving to people, died Nov. 15 at the age of 82. He was born in Lagunillas Michoacán, México, and moved to Wallingford with his wife and family in the early 1980s and worked at Connecticut Steel Corporation (now Nucor Steel) until retirement, according to his obituary.

Gomez was the sole financial provider for his beloved wife, Josefina, according to a GoFundMe campaign that was launched to help the family cover funeral costs.

Laura Juarez, who organized the fundraiser, said Gomez was a “prominent and beloved member of our Wallingford community.”

“Mr. Gomez is well known as ‘the man in the sombrero’ who was always seen walking or riding the bus around town,” Juarez wrote on the GoFundMe page. “He is fondly remembered for his ability to greet and speak to everyone who crossed his path. Mr. Gomez always offered help to those he thought needed it and was quick to offer anyone his last couple of dollars, if he thought they would be of help.

“He was an active member of Most Holy Trinity Church and a wonderful grandfather to his beloved grandchildren. He is remembered by his family, friends and everyone who knew him as a strong-willed, determined, outgoing, independent, and friendly individual. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who had the opportunity to know him.”

One person wrote on the Positively Wallingford Facebook page that “everyone who has encountered this amazing man knew that he was just a heart to anyone he encountered.”

Another person wrote, “I'm sorry to hear of his passing. We would see him all over down town walking and waving to folks. RIP Juan.”

The GoFundMe campaign has raised $4,800 as of Wednesday afternoon.

In an update, Juarez said with contributions from B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, Most Holy Trinity Church, Nucor Steel, the Spanish Community of Wallingford, the GoFundMe page and members of the community, the family “was able to cover all funeral expenses.”

For more information, visit the GoFundMe page here.

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