Remembering Barney Gonzalves: A Lost Treasure
by
Rodney & Janis Bergquist
American Fuchsia Soicety
While in the area Barney had relatives in Fairfield, CA where he would stay and make the rounds of local Branch meetings. During the last several years we got acquainted and spend extra time with Barney and his wife Darlene.Humor – Whenever he was in our area he would call us and ask what Branch meetings we were attending. He was always welcome to hitch a ride. On one occasion we were at Sacramento’s meeting where he was introduced a Special Guest. He immediately pointed at Rodney and I and told the group he was there with his parents.
Everywhere - It didn’t matter if we went to a Branch meeting or a major convention, Barney would be there and everyone knew him. He was easy to spot by his coveralls, red jacket and his green pickup, which was usually stuffed full of plants he wanted to show, sell or give to his friends.
Knowledge – The first time we met Barney was when he unexpectantly showed up at a Vallejo Branch meeting. The invited guest speaker was late or lost. While we were waiting for the speaker Rodney asked Barney how much water a fuchsia needs. Barney went to a blackboard and asked the following questions: What type of pot are you using: wood, plastic or clay? What type of soil are you using? What is your microclimate sunny or shady? How much water does an individual plant require? An hour later the blackboard of full of the various conditions and Barney was just warming up. Barney loved to teach others how to grow fuchsias. Because of his calm, easy manor he made the lessons easy to understand. Barney was always prepared to provide a program. In his truck was several five gallon buckets. Each one full of enough training materials for a two-hour program. Also, during his 30 plus years as a fuchsia grower Barney wrote many fuchsia articles for the Bulletin.
Fuchsia Garden -The last two years Rodney and I would drive to Escondido, CA to visit Barney’s pride and joy. For the last ten years Barney maintained the Fuchsia Garden at the Wild Animal Park in Escondido. His fuchsia garden consisted of over 1200 fuchsia varieties from all around the world. It’s common for the summer temperatures at the Park to exceed 100 + degrees. Under his care the fuchsias thrived and would be in full bloom by mid June. Near the garden’s entry Barney had a visitors log, which he check every morning the see the wonderful comments from Park visitors. During a visit to Barney’s Fuchsia Garden, Rodney and I got to meet his wonderful wife Darlene. It was obvious from the first moment we met her that she understood Barney’s love for fuchsias.
Barney was a free spirit who loved to roam from San Diego to Canada participating in conventions, Branch meetings, shows and sales. He was committed to showing everyone his beautiful fuchsia plants. So when Barney passed away this last November, what treasure did we loose? Someone who was a program source, a fuchsia growing resource, Bulletin articles, a fun guy to spend time with, and most importantly a good friend.