Gonzales, one of the best, 78

Ernie Gonzales, regarded as one of the best Filipino sportswriters ever, will be laid to rest on Friday at 2 p.m. at the La Loma Columbaries beside his wife, Yolly.

Gonzales, who died last Sunday after a lingering illness, was 78 years old and left behind children Dennis, Cheryl and Vernon, in-laws and four grandchildren.

He was part of the “sportswriting dream team” of the 1970s under the late Tony Siddayao at Daily Express, before having a stint with the Manila Times and later on taking his first job as sports editor with the defunct Manila Chronicle until it shut down in early 1998.

Gonzales covered all events there are, counting the Olympics, the Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games and left an indelible mark chronicling the fabled Tour of Luzon bikathon.

His last newspapering job was with the Philippine Daily Inquirer as a desk editor for sports under the late Teddyvic Melendres before retiring in 2009.