Ricardo Gonzales

Ricardo David Gonzales ("Ric" or "David"), 91, of Santa Fe, New Mexico passed away peacefully at home on September 4, 2025.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025 at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 511 Alicia St. in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Burial will be at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service at 9:00 a.m. on Monday September 22nd.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial donations may be made to Camp Mark Seven https://www.campmark7.org/donate,

Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity: https://www.habitat.org/support/honor-memorial-gifts , or

Wounded Warrior Project: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043&ovr_acv_id=5246

Ric was born on August 25, 1934 in Silver City, New Mexico to Gertrude ("Tula") Gonzales. He graduated from Western High School, and enlisted in the US Marine Corp where he served as a radio operator on active duty from 1953 - 1957. His pride and love of being a Marine continued his entire life, proudly wearing his Marine Corp apparel and celebrating the USMC birthday every November 10th with a chocolate cake.

Ric obtained his Bachelor's degree in Education from Western New Mexico University, a Masters degree in Deaf Education from Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., and eventually obtained an additional Masters degree in Educational Administration from California State University at Northridge. He began teaching at the New Mexico School for the Deaf ("NMSD") where met his wife, Dolores Gonzales.

Ric moved his family to Riverside, California to teach at the Riverside School for the Deaf and later worked as an administrator at the Orange County office of Education. After 10 years in California, Ric moved back to his beloved New Mexico and returned to NMSD where he was the principal, athletic director, and later a member of the Board of Regents. He also taught special education at DeVargas Junior High School.

Ric could often be found on a golf course or cheering on Notre Dame football. He coached basketball, football and golf during his teaching career, sharing his love of sports with another generation. Ric loved going back to Silver City to visit family and friends and often shared stories as he walked downtown. Ric's family was the most important thing to him.

Ric is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Dolores Gonzales. He leaves behind four children whom he loved dearly and was always there for, Christina Romero (Bryan), Anna Gonzales Ferraro (Robert), Susanna Gonzales Rogers (Patrick), and David Gonzales (Melissa). He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Sabrina Ferraro, Elena Romero, Justin Ferraro, Mark Romero, Brendan Ferraro, Eli Gonzales, and Eva Gonzales. He leaves behind beloved in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ric was preceded in death by his siblings, James Gonzales, Tina Sanchez, Patricia Aragon, and Epiphania ("Fanny") Correa, as well as sisters in law Arlene Pals and Carol ("Cookie") Wolters, and brothers in law Manuel Aragon, Albert Correa, Robert Wolters, and Jim Wolters.