GONZALES, J. Ernest

J. Ernest Gonzales died Monday May 21, 2007, at Yale New Haven Hospital at age 81. He had been born in Glendale Arizona and moved with his family to California where he became an Army Veteran after serving as a radio mechanic and marksman beginning in 1944. He received an honorable discharge with a good conduct medal. He graduated from the University of Illinois and then received his Master's Degree in Architecture from Yale University. He studied under Louis Kahn whom he admired greatly and wrote about for the New Haven Register in later years when he did weekly architectural reviews in his column that included urban and graphic design. Projects for the City of New Haven resulted in street signage that is still in use today. Ernest was involved in many urban planning and renewal projects like the Dwight Neighborhood Study that focused on improving the urban living environment or highlighting regional historical gems. He was the City Planner for Wallingford from 64-68 and the Planning Director in Hamden from 69-72. In later years he taught Urban studies at Southern Connecticut State College, where his lectures were very well received by students who felt that he inspired and directed them in a very positive atmosphere. He was nominated for teacher of the year in 1986. Ernest was attended in his final days by his longtime friend Shirley Varmette. He is survived by his son Don Alexander and his family of Wallingford, his ex-wife Shirley of Guilford, and his daughter April and her family of Southampton, New York. His ashes will be sprinkled at notable architectural sites. Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/3/2007.