George Abrán Gonzales
| George Abrán Gonzales | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Santa Fe, New Mexico | |
|
In office 1968–1972 |
|
| Preceded by | Pat Hollis |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Valdes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 5, 1938 Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Died | March 24, 2015 (aged 77) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Celine Gonzales |
| Children | Javier Gonzales |
| Residence | Santa Fe, New Mexico |
George Abrán Gonzales (January 5, 1938 – March 24, 2015) was an American politician, musician, and broadcaster who served as the Mayor of Santa Fe, New Mexico, from 1968 to 1972. Gonzales, who was 30 years old at the time of the 1968 mayoral election, became the youngest Mayor in Santa Fe's history.
Gonzales is the father of Santa Fe's current mayor, Javier Gonzales, who has held the office since March 2014.
George Gonzales was born to Porfiria and Alenjandro Gonzales in his family's home on Agua Fría Street in Santa Fe on January 5, 1938. He was raised in the Agua Fria neighborhood. He became a musician and singer during his teens, performing traditional Spanish language songs as part of a musical trio with Albert Sanchez and Ernest Sanchez. The trio placed second in the "Lucky Strike Hour" competition, which was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gonzales, who was known for his baritone singing voice and guitar, later recorded several albums during his life.
Gonzales, who received the highest award at the State Spanish Elocution Competition, was elected Senior class president at Santa Fe High School.
He attended the College of Santa Fe and served in the Army National Guard after high school.
Gonzales spent much of his professional career in radio broadcasting. He began his career as a radio announcer on KTRC, an AM radio station, in 1955. He then worked at as an announcer for KDCE, a radio station in Española, New Mexico, which was owned by former Governor John Burroughs. Gonzales soon purchased KDCE from Burroughs, which he owned and operated for fifteen years. He and his brother, Belarmino "Blackie" Gonzales, then founded Radio KBSO-FM, the first completely Spanish language radio station in northern New Mexico. In 1991, Gonzales acquired and launched another station, KSWV (known as "Que Suave"), which he ran with his four sons. He continued to work as an announcer and salesman for KSWV into the 2000s.
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