Ramon J. Gonzales 1934 – 2020

Ramon “Ray” J. Gonzales, 86, passed away Oct. 3 in Edgewood. He was born on May 19, 1934 in Pecos, to the late Antonio and Concepcion (Martinez) Gonzales. Ramon was the youngest of nine children and the only son, a joy, blessing and relief for his father. Ray attended school in Pecos, and excelled in academics as well as athletics, starring on his high school basketball team. After graduating as president of his high school class he attended the University of New Mexico, where he met a friend who would later introduce him to his wife of 60 years, Ernestine. After UNM, he earned a position with Western Electric, part of the Bell System. However, a draft notice provided a slight detour as he honorably served in the U.S. Army, allowing the small town country boy from Pecos to see Europe. After being honorably discharged, his position with Western Electric awaited him, where we worked for 37 years; he helped install the electronic switching systems in the Twin Towers, NYC as well as some other significant buildings in Chicago and Los Angeles. He and Ernestine were valued and stalwart members of St. Phillip Neri Catholic parish in Lynwood, California for 48 years, where they raised their family. Additionally, Ray was a member of Knights of Columbus, lector and key revenue generator at the annual church bazaar. After their retirement, they returned to his beloved New Mexico to be closer to their New Mexico family, building a home in Cedar Grove. Ray’s obituary would be incomplete without mentioning that while Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, his next closest love was playing pool, where for decades he was a champion local player throughout

Southern California. He is one of the last of the great “good old” Spanish New Mexicans. His legacy is alive and vibrant throughout his family. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Carmelita Gonzales, Sophia Gonzales, Cecilia Gonzales, Juanita Gonzales, Louise Olguin, Bernie Montoya and Jean Cheshire; and granddaughter, Grace Isabella Gonzales. Ramon is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ernestine Gonzales; sons, David Gonzales and wife Stacey, and Antonio Gonzales; daughters, Susan Mitnick and husband Steve, and Cecilia Gonzales; sister, Sophie Hodges; grandchildren, Lindsay Bartell, Leigh Mitnick, Marisa Gonzales and Grant Gonzales; great-granddaughter, Parker Rae Bartell; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and Pinto his BFF and faithful dog. Funeral services will be held Oct. 16 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Edgewood. The Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. and the Celebration of Mass will follow at 11. Father Lancaster will officiate. Burial of cremains will happen at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Harris Hanlon Mortuary in Moriarty. The family kindly requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org.