ERNEST GONZALEZ

GONZALEZ, ERNEST, 85
Ernest (Ernie) Gonzalez, 85, passed away peacefully at home in Gainesville, Florida with his wife Rose Marie by his side after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was born in 1931 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Luis and Carmen Gonzalez. He was the youngest of 3 siblings.
During the Korean War, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force. After his military service, he began his career with the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York. While working there, he met the love of his life, Rose Marie Kaiser. They married June of 1969 and were blessed with two sons, Nicholas Joseph Gonzalez in 1970 and Steven Anthony Gonzalez in 1971.
In 1972, the Gonzalez family relocated to Florida where Ernie continued his career at the VA Medical Center in Gainesville.
In 1988 after the tragic death of his eldest son, Nicholas, who was killed by a drunk driver, he began his dedication to victims rights and advocacy to the Gainesville community. He began volunteering for various organizations focused on victims rights and advocacy programs. He joined Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) eventually becoming the President of the local Gainesville chapter where he touched many lives speaking at local schools, community functions Victim Impact Panels designed to educate and persuade offenders to better their choices. His service to victims rights organizations continued when he joined Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) through which he shared his story continuing his work at local victims rights events, speaking engagements and memorial services.
With his wife by his side, he touched many lives throughout the community attending high profile trials standing beside the families victimized by violent crimes in an era when Gainesville was in the national headlines.
Ernie had a passion for bowling and was a member of the VA Bowling League for almost 35 years. He had a love for classic movie trivia, art, architecture and world history. Later in life, he and his wife traveled extensively around the world enjoying cruises and land tours with friends and family.
Besides his parents, Ernie is preceded in death by his sister, Irma Karpoff and his eldest son, Nicholas. He is survived by his loving wife, Rose Marie, his younger son Steven of Atlanta, Georgia and his brother Louis of Brooklyn, New York.
The family would like to thank the many friends, family members and neighbors along with the staff of Haven Hospice who have reached out offering their love and support. Visitation will be Monday, April 24th from 5pm to 7pm at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Avenue in Gainesville Florida. On Tuesday, April 25th, a short viewing will be held at 9am with a funeral mass to follow at 9:30am with Father John M. Phillips at Holy Faith Catholic Church, 747 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville with a burial to follow with full military honors at Forest Meadows Memorial Park at 4100 NW 39th Avenue.
Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows
Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville, Florida.