Keri Jon Gonsalves, 38, of Gambrills, Maryland passed away unexpectedly surrounded by his loving family at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland on Friday, May 27, 2022.
After graduating from Largo High School in Largo, Maryland, Keri attended West Nottingham Academy in Colora, Maryland where he played on the Men's Basketball Team. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Hospitality from George Washington University in Washington, DC in 2008. He was a member of the GWU Division 1 Men's Basketball team that went to the NCAA playoffs during his 2005-2006 season.
Basketball was the love of Keri's life. He played professional basketball in Brazil, Peru, Portugal and Cape Verde. From 2004-2006, Keri represented Cape Verde in the African championships playing against Senegal, Mali and Guinea-Bissau. He fell in love with Cape Verde, and they fell in love with his personality. The Cape Verdean Basketball Federation described him as "an exemplary athlete, hardworking, disciplined, who defended with all of his might our national team and above all the colors of the country".
Keri is survived by his grandmothers, Judith (Pina Barros) Gonsalves and Maria (Livramento) Silva; his uncles and aunts: Raymond and Yvonne Houtman, Michael "Mickey" Gonsalves (Godfather), Linda Almeida, Alfredo "Sonny" and Faith Silva, Shirley Silva-Paige (Godmother), Beverly Gresham, Mark and Peggy Dias (Godmother), William "Lacy" and Patricia "Patsy" Clay, and Conan and Melissa Wilson, with whom he most recently resided, and Luke Almeida, Daniel DeBarros, Ruben Gresham Sr., and Amilton Tavares, Sr.
Although an only child, Keri is survived by many loving cousins: Lyle Silva, Necole Ervin, Damon Gomes, Marques Houtman, Luke Almeida, Raegan Williams, Isaiah Houtman, Andre Almeida, Antoinette Silva, Marcel Gonsalves, Angeleena Tavares, Amilton Tavares, Jr., Naomi Paige, Jillian Almeida, Corday Silva, Billy Paige, Jordan DeBarros, M'Lyssa Silva, Morgan Silva, Bria Jones, Cyiece Tademy, Cy'Lin Tademy, Alexis Miguel, Myles Dias, Maria Tavares, Desmond Rene, Faith Gomes, Mayse Dias, Cyrenae Tademy (Godchild), Damon Gomes, Jr., Ruben Gresham, Jr., Camron Gomes, Mark Reed, Anarie Pajotte, Milliana Cortes, Mya Cortes, Carter Cortes, Mia Gonsalves, Asaiah Gomes-Stanford, Omari Gonsalves, Christopher Houtman, Abigail Houtman, Estelle Griffith, Preston B. Griffith, and Sanaa Wilson, Satchel Wilson (Godchild) and Sati Wilson with whom he had lived.
Keri was predeceased by his parents whom he adored, John "Nunui" and Sandra (Silva) Gonsalves; his grandfathers, Joao "Djandjan" Gonsalves and Alfredo "Freddie" Silva; his paternal grandmother, Mary "Maymie" (Cosmo) Gonsalves; his aunts, Elaine M. Silva, Anna M. Silva, Diane (Silva) Tavares, and Antonet "Toni" Silva; and his cousin, Tyrone Bulu.
Keri left an indelible impression upon everyone he touched in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Massachusetts, Cape Verde and more.
A beautiful, gentle giant, and kind soul, the Gonsalves and Silva families are broken-hearted beyond words. We are able to find some solace in knowing that Keri Jon Gonsalves, our grandson, son, summer son, godson, nephew, brother, cousin, friend, classmate, and high school, collegiate and international professional Basketball athlete, is now reunited with his beloved parents. Rest in God's Peace @kg3344
His Funeral will be held on Tuesday June 7, 2022 at 10 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Lawrence Church, 565 County St., New Bedford at 11 AM. Visiting hours will be held on Monday June 6, 2022 from 3-7 PM. Cremation will follow the services and he will be buried with his beloved parents at St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Keri's memory may be cash-apped using cashtag $KeriGonsalves34. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.