byRichard Ybarra
Upon returning from Vietnam, Edward Manuel “Eddie” Gonzalez bonded with his father Edward E. Gonzalez, a World War II Army veteran with a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts earned fighting in the Pacific.
Eddie’s service in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam places his name on the elite list of barrio boys who served in every war. Eddie was laid to rest on May 22 by Martha, his wife of 57 years, their son and two daughters, seven grandchildren, five God children and 400 family and friends, St. Augustine High School classmates, MTS co-workers and 50 friends of his children.
Edward and Josephine Gonzalez raised their only son in Logan Heights and National City, sacrificing to provide a better life for him. Eddie called it life’s progression. “Keep it simple” was his motto. Eddie was a good man, lived a good life, respected his parents, had a loving marriage, loving children, extended family and a forest of friends. He was especially close to maternal grandmother Rosario Garcia.
In school he was an average student with above average intelligence. After Vietnam he exchanged war lessons with his dad, who had warned him of war’s hell. During his service, a tearful Eddie called to thank him saying, “you were right about war, Dad.” Eddie’s mother showed him how to iron, clean and responsibly parent children. He emphasized self-sufficiency, especially to his daughters.
St. Jude Academy, Saints Class of 1964, then two years at City College. In 1966 he joined the Air Force. Eddie remained a proud Vietnam War veteran.The military honors bestowed on him at the gravesite ceremony recognized love of country and family.
After a stint as a mechanic, an uncle helped him get hired at MTS as a diesel mechanic, where he remained the rest of his working days. Eddie was a confident member and leader of IBEW Local 465. He declined offers to join management because he couldn’t leave his friends doing, as he put it, “the real work.” On Coronado Islands fishing days he once penned in his “From the Bench” company newsletter column, “The beauty of the islands as the sun rises in the east, and the hypnotizing sounds of the sea is a thrill only one who is there can feel.”
Martha, Troy, Celeste and Denise were his world. He did everything with them, as a doting dad who welcomed their friends into the Gonzalez family, was surrogate dad to God children and others. He regaled as the entire family traveled to Hawaii, saying how impossible it was in earlier years. Daughter Denise recalled, “if he could help, Dad joined. Like my sister Celeste’s SD Civic Youth Ballet Board, where he did sets and props. We will also miss Dad’s gourmet, ‘Poor Mexican’ meals.”
Eddie believed in the scripture, love thy neighbor. For years Eddie served as Park Place Estates HOA Vice-President — an expert on every issue. He was disciplined and affable, people loved his mannerisms, quips, smiles, laughter and hugs. Property gardeners sent flowers to his services. When neighbors vacationed, Eddie got their mail. Neighbors joined to celebrate Eddie’s life.
Sometimes you learn more about a person in death than life. One gravesite flower sash read “Always Brothers,” from Saints classmates.One, Jim Whittemore recalled, “Eddie believed in Saints brotherhood. He had a real positive attitude. He was first to donate to Saints causes for sports or the class scholarship fund. We were gourmet cooks and exchanged recipes.We laughed a lot as our path was happy, love and laughter.” His other best bud was Bobby Barrios. In one last act, for upcoming Mexican American Golf Association picnic, Eddie paid for the food.
Eddie was buried at Glen Abbey. During Taps and the flag ceremony, mourners silence was only interrupted by the U.S. and Air Force flags flapping in the breeze. An Air Force officer presented a U.S. flag to Martha.As in the Saints Alma Mater, many “loyal sons of St. Augustine, sing (another) hymn of praise…”
Eddie’s was a patriotic life well lived. A decent man. He loved airplanes and always dreamed of flying. One of his regrets was turning down a second tour as a B-52 navigator. He now flies in the highest heavens on eagle’s wings.
In many ways, Eddie Gonzalez was Everyman and Every Logan Heights Soldier.
Richard Ybarra is CEO of MNC Inspiring Success in San Francisco. He knew Eddie as a Saints underclassman and served with him on Park Place Estates HOA. He always looked up to Eddie and the Saints Class of 1964. Attending services this week, he was inspired to write this Everyman tribute to Eddie Gonzalez.
