C. Richard "Ric" Gonce

    On November 20, 2025, Ric Gonce passed away at age 71, after a 30 year battle with ALS. Ric was raised in Brooklyn and later Riviera Beach. He attended St Rose of Lima grade school and was a 1972 graduate of Cardinal Gibbons High School. After attending Catonsville Community College, Ric became licensed as a Mortician and joined the family business, Gonce Funeral Home, where he worked until 1996 when he was diagnosed with ALS. In December of that same year, he married his love, Elaine. He and Elaine welcomed the birth of their son Ricky in 2003. With his wife by his side as his caregiver, they battled the challenges of life with ALS, beat the odds, and Ric lived a long prosperous life. Ric had a deep love of music, and had mastered playing a twelve string guitar. He had a playful sometimes dark sense of humor, and if you were lucky enough to be his friend, you were a friend for life. 

   C. Richard Gonce was the beloved husband of Elaine Holden Gonce, loving and devoted father of Charles Richard "Ricky" Gonce. Dear son of the late George & Marguerite Gonce and cherished brother of George Gonce Jr. and wife Chickey, Donna Znamirowski and husband Jerome, Beverly Gonce, Greg Gonce and wife Laura, Mark Gonce and wife Laurie. He was also survived by his mother in law Bernadette Holden and in-laws Bernie Holden and Amy, Michael Holden and Debbie. Ric was godfather to Gina, Sabrina, Samantha, Jade and Kayla, and was blessed with many nieces, nephews, close friends and his sweet dog ,Abigail. 

    Friends and family may visit Gonce Funeral Service P.A., 169 Riviera Drive on Sunday 3-5 and 7-9pm. A Funeral Mass will be on Monday at 11am in St  Jane Frances Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of C. Richard "Ric" Gonce, please visit our floral store.