Gonzalo J. Lerin was born in the small town of Tamara Spain back on March 15th, 1932. As a young boy he enjoyed playing soccer and running track. In school he was always interested in world history and geography. As a young teen he fell in love with American cinema. On weekends he and his younger sister Teresa would go to the local movie house and see the film that was playing. He told us he would always stay to see it twice. First time for the movie and the second time to remember the actors & actresses as well as the director, producer and film studio names. Many times a local radio station would run a contest asking trivia questions about the movies playing and my dad was quick to have the correct answer and win a prize. At the age of 18 he joined the Spanish Merchant Marines. While there he traveled all over the world seeing Japan, Africa, the Philippines as well as the United States. His dream from a young age was to live in the United States after seeing all the movies that were filmed there. It was while he was stationed In New York that he met his wife Carmen through a blind date arranged by a family friend who lived in NYC. There was an immediate attraction between the two and they courted for about a year before getting married in 1957. Their first residence was a small apartment on Charlotte Street in the Bronx. A year later they became parents when their first son Peter was born in 1958. He was followed by Robert (Bob) in 1960. Having a family of four and wanting to provide a nice life for them he worked many jobs. He worked in a plastics factory in Queens, a belt making factory in Manhattan, a gum manufacturer in Long Island City as well as Gimbels Department Store and finally the New York City Transit Authority. Because of all his hard work his sons were able to attend parochial grammar school and high school. He was a verry proud father. In 1975 he received the news that his father Pedro passed away. It was at this time that he returned to Spain for the first time since he left. Spending time with his family there drew him to go back and visit there many more times. He would always return home with a piece of Spain be it a couple of bottles of fine Spanish brandy or a few Lladro porcelain figurines. He was very proud to be a Spaniard. He was always looking for restaurants here that served paella as well as keeping track of his favorite soccer team, Real Madrid. He was also a big New York Yankees fan. He retired from working on the day he turned 65 and was able to purchase a Coop in Riverdale for him and his wife. He was so proud and excited about finally being able to purchase a place of his own. Shortly after moving in his wife Carmen became ill. He made sure she was always well taken care of. During her many hospital stays he wouldn’t leave her side. He was a great caretaker. Carmen passed away in 2009. His sister-in-law Helen spent a lot of time with them helping out during her illness. During that time she got to know Riverdale and so my father asked her if she wanted to stay there. She also became ill shortly thereafter and my dad, with the assistance of his sons, took care of her until she passed in 2015. Gonzalo has always been a kind, gentle, thoughtful and generous person. He was always putting the needs of others ahead of his own. In 2023 his eldest son Peter passed away which broke his heart.
He is survived by his son Bob and daughters in law, Clare and Carol, and his sweetie-pie, granddaughter Jenny. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews in Spain whom he loved dearly. May he Rest In Peace.
Reposing Tuesday, May 26th 2026 from 3:00 - 7:00 PM at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, May 27th 2026 at St. Margaret of Cortona Church at 9:45 AM. Interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus NJ.