Ernest Gonzalez

ERNEST GONZALEZ was born in the City of La Mirada, California, on December 15th, 1970, in the loving arms of his Mother and Father, Margarita and Jesus Gonzalez. As a little kid, Ernest was called “NETO” by all members of the Medina and Gonzalez families, and grew only to become a bigger kid known to all as “ERNIE”. Ernie’s brothers and sister are Jesse, Sanny, and Jacqueline, each whom he always shared his love to, cared after, gave advice, and said what was on his mind – always not in that order! Ernie was raised in Whittier, California, where he made life-long friends in the neighborhood and in the hometown schools of Los Altos Elementary, South Whittier Junior High, and California High School (Cal Hi). When our family moved to El Centro, California, Ernie continued to make life-long friends, in his own style at Central Union High School, where he graduated in 1989. Ernie liked to work with his hands and decided to move and live with friends in Phoenix, Arizona, to attend the University of Phoenix, where he earned a certificate as an Electrician. Ernie served the military branch of the California Army National Guard Reserves and served his battalion duty in the armory located in San Bernardino, California. Ernie frequently drove to a small irrigation and agriculture town named “Chimi”, near Mexicali, Mexico, where he visited Grandpa, Heliodoro Medina, fondly remembered as our “Apa”. Man, did he love Apa! They both loved in a style that only they seemed to be able to get away with, which was by kidding with you, no matter when or what! Ernie learned a lot about love, family, and life’s lessons from his Nino and Nina, Richard and Patty Medina. His Nino and Nina’s two daughters, Christine and Cynthia, still hang on to Ernie and Ernie still loves them hanging on to him! In addition to the memories they shared together, Ernie treasured his Nina’s food, especially her desserts! His Nino and Nina inspired Ernie to become the family man he became.

Ernie met Michelle Rossi in 1993 in the City of Rancho Cucamonga, California, at a family function. Ernie and Michelle worked together to make their future, starting around Michelle’s daughter, who eventually Ernie called his own, Gabrielle Rossi. Ernie would talk about how proud he felt to help Michelle raise Gabi and build a home for them. In 1995, Ernie and Michelle presented our family’s first Grandson, Nico Anthony Gonzalez. He would brag about how he can “only make boys”! Just like him, he went on to prove it – all with Michelle’s help! Dominick Michael was born in 1997 and Giovanni Angelo was born in 2002. Ernie and Michelle together worked hard to build their home in Colton, California. Ernie was a family man. He loved his wife, he adored and prized his children. While Michelle found putting her feelings down extremely difficult, the following are some of her loving memories and wishes:

I met Ernie in 1993 while I was visiting his cousin, Gloria and I knew the moment I saw him that I wanted to marry him. I even told my mom that night that I met the man I was going to marry and she laughed at me. Ernie is the only father my daughter, Gabi has ever known. One of my best memories I have, is the day I found out that our first child together in 1995 was going to be a boy. I went out and bought a blue balloon that said "IT'S A BOY!" and a 6 pack of bottled beer. I put these gifts on the floor right next to the sofa he was asleep on. I couldn't wait for him to wake up and jump up crying in excitement that he was having a boy, just like he wanted. But it didn't quite play out like I had imagined it. Ernie woke up, looked at the balloon, then looked at the beer and said "oh thanks babe, just what I wanted after a good nap.....Beer!" I guess the look on my face was not a happy look and he started laughing at me. And then he said "I'm just kidding Chelle, I told you I can only make boys" and he was right! Ernie and I went on to have 2 more boys, Dominick in 1997 and Giovanni in 2002. Ernie and I prided ourselves on how we have raised our children. Gabi is a successful hairstylist, Nico is graduating high school in June and starting college in July. Dominick will hopefully be getting his driver license this year and our baby, Giovanni will be graduating 5th grade and moving on to middle school. Ernie watch over our boys and guide them and keep them safe. Watch over me and also guide me. I hope I make you proud when it comes to raising our children now and in the future. We will miss you with every inch of our hearts. I love you Ernie and I was proud to be your wife. No matter what direction our lives took us, we always made sure that our children had the both of us. My 21 years with you will NEVER be forgotten. You will live on with pictures and stories I will pass on threw out the years with our children and any future grand children we will have. I will make sure that our grand children will know their grand father.

Ernie always thought of his family first and will always be with his wife and children.

Ernie was not all play. As serious as Ernie was about Family, Ernie also took a lot of pride in his work by and taking care of every detail. No matter the task, he never did it half-way or carelessly, and would challenge himself by thinking about how he would make sure it was better the next time. Ernie lived by his own words and passed down to his children that when you work hard, that you will be rewarded. Even though he was working, he took the time to make somebody’s day with a smile.

Ernie enjoyed sharing and making memories with his friends, family, and even new acquaintances. He would say things just to “trip you out” and did it without even trying – all in fun and good spirit. Ernie spoke English and Spanish, and he spoke them with a lot of color and emphasis, if you know what I mean! Whether it was camping, fishing, carne asada barbecues, attending Los Angeles Dodgers games, trips to Glamis, or just kicking back and hanging out, Ernie looked forward to poking fun because around him, we were all targets – including himself! Ernie shared a love for going to Glamis with his brother Sanny and his sons. Before their camping trips, he liked to scheme and carefully plan mischief and would have a big grin on his chin that signaled he was up to something.

Ernie handled his battle with cancer with honor, held his head up high, and remained positive with the determination that he “will be back”. Those of us with him were astonished and inspired by his strength and courage, but shouldn’t be surprised as he lived boldly, with bravery, and did it in his own way. Together with family and friends, as we reflected on our last months with our husband, father, son, brother, godson, uncle, cousin and friend, we discovered together that Ernie gave us all the same treasures to remember him by: well wishes for us to take care of ourselves, memories he called stories, and a lot of stories filled with laughter. We will honor Ernie by celebrating his life and remember him with laughter, because for sure he will remember the laughter he shared with you.

Visitation; Tuesday, February 12, 2013 from 6pm to 8pm at Montecito Valley View Chapel

Service; Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 10am at Montecito Valley View Chapel with burial to follow at Montecito Memorial Park.