Michael J. Gonsalves, 40;
'The Doctor' of heavy metal
Mike had been a staff disc
jockey for more than 17 years at WHJY radio, where he had worked as a summer
intern while in college. He started as the host of Metal Zone on Saturday
nights, and had been the station's overnight DJ since 1991. The Metal Zone is
the longest-running continuous heavy-metal radio show in the country.
He also hosted a weekly event
called "Legs and Eggs," for third-shifters, at the Foxy Lady, in Providence.
Mike began his career as a disc
jockey spinning records at private parties. He worked at the Rhode Island
College radio station, WXIN, where he was music director for four years, and
as a disc jockey, and later manager, at the United Skates of America roller
rink in East Providence.
He was also the co-owner of All
Star Sports Cards and Comics, in North Providence.
Mike was a graduate of the
former Our Lady of Providence High School, where he lettered in baseball and
tennis, receiving All-State honors in tennis during his junior and senior
years. A 1986 graduate of Rhode Island College, he lettered in tennis for four
years, and was team captain his senior season. Mike was an active member of
Kappa Delta Phi fraternity for over 20 years.
An accomplished athlete, he
played in the McColl Softball League in Lincoln, and for the WHJY softball
team. Michele Maker, promotions director at WHJY, recalls, "I played second
base. One game, he hit a line-drive in my direction . . . sent me to the
emergency room, and the stitches from the ball were embedded in my kneecap."
He had also played in the
Scituate Summer Basketball League.
For the last two years, he had
attended the Boston Baseball Fantasy Camp in Florida, meeting and getting to
know such former Red Sox greats as Luis Tiant, Bill Lee and Johnny Pesky. Last
year, Mike was named the fantasy camp's Most Valuable Player.
Born in New York City, a son of
Neil I. and Mary V. (Trepanier) Gonsalves, both of Providence, he had lived in
Providence for many years before moving to Warwick in 1993.
Besides his parents, he leaves
two brothers, Edward L. Gonsalves of North Providence and Jonathan N.
Gonsalves of Johnston; and a niece, Amanada Lyons of Johnston.
Burial took place at St.
Ambrose Cemetery.
-- Journal staff writer
Thomas Cahir
source Providence Journal
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