The Conco Companies is very sad to announce the passing of co-founder Matt Gonsalves.

Mathew William Gonsalves passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, February 15, 2018, in Walnut Creek, California. Matt was born in Oakland, California to Matheus and Mary Gonsalves on September 7, 1930. Matt graduated from Castlemont High School in Oakland, California in 1948, where he served as the Student Body President during his senior year. He married his high school sweetheart, Marlene, on June 10, 1950. They were married for 65 years. Matt was a proud member of The United States Airforce from 1952 to 1953. Matt and Marlene moved to Concord, California in 1954 where they raised their three children Steve, Karen, and Janice.

In 1959, Matt founded Conco Cement Company with his two brothers, Will and Mel, along with his two high school friends, Gerald and Ray Santucci. That company is known today as The Conco Companies. Conco has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Matt have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Matt’s spirit will forever be the foundation of Conco.

Matt made many contributions to the construction industry. To improve the quality of slab foundations, Matt pioneered the use of 10″ to 12″ MAT slabs that are less prone to crack or bend with expanding soils or other earth movement. These thicker slab foundations are used today by contractors throughout Northern California.  He invented the Waffle-Mat System in which concrete is poured over plastic molds to create a waffle-type mat especially effective on expansive soils. He was very excited about Confoam™.

In 2000 Matt was inducted into the California Home Building Hall of Fame.

We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much. Matt lived a life of open hearted generosity, of love & care for all who met him – be it for an hour, a day, or a lifetime – teaching us how to live well through his example.

Matt enjoyed his Wednesday Golf/Card day, as well as golf on Saturday and Sunday, and his monthly poker nights. As his health declined, he would meet his high school friends every Saturday for lunch instead of golf. He always looked forward to his annual Memorial Day weekend trip to Lake Tahoe as well as his annual President’s Day weekend trip to Cabo San Lucas. He was an Oakland Raider season ticket holder for years and still cheered them on win or lose.

We will miss him dearly.  We are deeply grateful for the role that he played in building this great company and his service to the community.