Reynaldo Gonzalez

Reynaldo Gonzalez, a longtime resident of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, passed away peacefully surrounded
by his loving wife and daughter on April 24, 2020. He was 67 years old.
He is predeceased by his adoring parents Reynaldo Gonzalez, Sr. and Blanca Elena de la Prida,
and his beloved stepmother Gudelia Gonzalez. Born in Santa Clara, Cuba, he came to the U.S. as
a young child with his father. He was educated in Union City, NJ, and was a graduate of
Emerson High School. He went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing and
Communication. He had a long-standing career of over 25 years in the advertising industry. He
dedicated his career to Hispanic-focused marketing. His passion for his career lied in serving the
community he was so proud to be a part of. Many have reached out to his family in this time
detailing stories of when he hired them as members of his team.
Married to Helen Chao-Gonzalez for over 29 years, the two resided in Ho-Ho-Kus since they
were married and had their only daughter there. Upon moving to Bergen County, he remarked
that this was a place he could unwind and be at peace after his days at work in Manhattan. He
enjoyed both playing tennis and spectating, always looking forward to attending the U.S. Open
each year with his family and watching his favorite player, Rafael Nadal. He savored his walks
with his most adored dog Desi, whom he and his daughter named after famous Cuban actor Desi
Arnaz. He thoroughly enjoyed chatting with many in the neighborhood on his walks, taking a
genuine interest in their lives and how they were. In short, he was a people person. He engaged
in many a spirited conversation about current events and the news of the day with his daughter,
as he was a news buff. At times, they would watch Jeopardy together and he would lend a hand
in the history and geography questions. He enjoyed everything about the Cuban culture. He
could always be found reading updates about the island or listening to music from his homeland.
He is survived by his esteemed wife Helen Gonzalez (nèe Chao), his treasured daughter Helena
Gonzalez, his sister Tamara Gonzalez de la Prida, his brother Elier Gonzalez, his stepsisters
Perla Moreno and Emma Zantarski, his nieces Keylin, Blankelien and Kamila Gonzalez, his
nephews Manolo Garcia, Christian and Adrian Moreno, his sister-in-law Katharine Chao and
mother-in-law Fe Chao.
Funeral services will be privately held at the George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ
on Friday, May 1st with Father James Manos of St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church of
Ho-Ho-Kus presiding. Arrangements were entrusted to Feeney Funeral Home of Ridgewood. In
lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York
City.