Abner P. Gonzaga

Son of the late Jose Jalandoni Gonzaga and Encarnacion Apdol Gonzaga, Abner was born on July 2, 1929. He graduated from Mapua Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering and worked as an engineer for Lopez Sugar Central. When his father decided to subdivide the family land and build the J.J. Gonzaga Subdivision located in Barrio Baquias, Barangay Mansilingan, City of Bacolod, Abner managed the intricate details associated with this huge project. On July 7, 1962, he married Lemy Descotido, his high school sweetheart, and went on to have three children, Cecilia, Anne Marie and Jose. He was a member of the Katipunan International Lions Club and was very active in helping improve the living conditions of the poor in Barangay Mansilingan, and around Bacolod City.

1980 brought the Gonzaga family to the United States where they settled in the City of Tustin, Orange County, California. He worked as the lead engineer at Mark Optics, Inc. until his retirement in 2000. He was a founding member of the Negrenses of America and the Bacolod Society of America. Through these philanthropic organizations, he continued to bring hope and joy to the poor in his hometown of Bacolod City. With his wife Lemy they opened their home in Tustin as a Residential Care for the Elderly through which he continued to touch the lives of many medically frail seniors needing to find a safe place to call home. After a few years, they sold their home and moved across State lines to enjoy the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, NV. He spent the remainder of his years living between Las Vegas and Bacolod City.

Abner embraced life through simple pleasures such as spending time with family, talking with friends, reading, singing Karaoke, dancing, listening to music, and traveling. He had a bright and engaging personality with a deep curiosity for learning new things. He was kind, patient, and mild mannered. A true gentleman. Even to his last days, he would sing and dedicate the song, "No Other Love", to his wife of 58 years.

He is survived by his wife, Lemy; daughters, Cecilia and Anne Marie; son, Jose; son-in-law, Ronie; daughter-in-law, Takako; 4 grandchildren, Kyle, Kayleen, Gerard, and Emiri; and sisters, Mimi, Loida, Nerissa, Merle, Josette, Edda, Linda, and Rosalie.

He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.