Jay M. Gonzalez

Jay M. Gonzalez A Scion of International Tax Operations dies at 75 Jay M. Gonzalez, an international tax partner with Coopers & Lybrand who had an instrumental role in expanding that company's international tax operations, died peacefully in his home in Hillsborough, CA, on Saturday, February 7, 2009. Mr. Gonzalez was born in Laredo, TX and graduated from Texas A & M University. He received an MBA from the University of North Texas. He served his country in Korea in the U.S. Army. Later in his career, Mr. Gonzalez completed Harvard University's Program for Management Develoment, an intensive course in business management geared for high-performing executives. In 1960 he started a career with Price Waterhouse in New York. In 1965 he joined International Basic Economy Corporation (IBEC) as Vice President of Tax. IBEC was created by Nelson A. Rockefeller with the aim of promoting economic development - such as supermarkets, housing, poultry and mutual funds - in Latin America. IBEC later expanded its activities into 33 other underdeveloped countries on four continents. He joined Coopers & Lybrand in 1974 and retired as an international tax partner from the San Francisco office in 1996. He excelled in mergers and acquisitions of multinational corporations. A close friend from Atlanta once said to him, "Jay, you are the most brilliant financial architect we shall ever see." Throughout his career Mr. Gonzalez was an active member of the International Fiscal Association (IFA). The membership of IFA includes over 12,000 professionals residing in 100 countries who specialize in international taxation. From 1994 to 1996, he was the president of the USA Branch of IFA which comprises over 1,100 members. He served as a member of the USA IFA Executive Committee for 10 years. After retiring, he spent much of his time working on Palemi Ranch, his ranch in Northern California, for which he oversaw operations and enjoyed spending time. He is survived by his wife, Lilia G. Gonzalez, of Hillsborough; two daughters, Patricia G. Lange of Culver City, and Leah Jarlsberg of San Mateo; one son Michael of Castro Valley; and two grandchildren, Catherine and Alexander Lange. A celebration of Life Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, March 7, 2009 at St. Bartholomew Parish, San Mateo, CA (300 Alameda de Las Pulgas), followed by a reception to be held at the Peninsula Golf and Country Club in San Mateo, CA (701 Madera Drive). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Bartholomew Parish.