and turn, Ruben has a ….

and turn, Ruben has a beacon of consistency and a source of inspiration for all of us who’ve had the privilege of working alongside him,” Sedgwick said, adding, “Ruben’s legacy is etched not only in the history of our company but in the hearts of their colleagues, reminding us all that true dedication is the secret ingredient to success.”

Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, the department provides ongoing and emergency maintenance to the entire community of 9,500 people, 6,608 dwellings, plus GRF buildings, offices and amenities.

His busy team of nearly 40 averages 2,500 service repair orders each month fixing leaks, pipe stoppages, appliance failures and equipment malfunctions. Whether its emergency responses like tarping roofs, fire clean-up, power outages and loaner appliances, or plumbing, electric, grounds or carpentry, his employees are famous for solving residents’ problems with can-do efficiency and good attitude.

Ron Nett of Mutual 8 recently called the news office for the sole purpose of praising the Service Maintenance Department. When he called Service Maintenance with a semi emergency involving his shower, dispatcher Marie Soto immediately sent Jessie Lopez to help.

“He was so polite, and everything he did was clean. It was great service, the best I’ve ever experienced,” Nett said, who also called Service Maintenance Clerk Sue Acebo “an angel” for diligent follow-up.

The LW Weekly often receives calls like that, with accolades for service levels that exceed expectation. That is not by happenstance.

It’s Gonzalez and his work ethic rippling down to every employee. Happy customers are a core goal for this team: “We need to always focus on customer service. It’s more than 50 percent of the job,” Gonzalez said.

This all started 50 years ago, when teen-aged Gonzalez decided he was was ready for his first full-time job. “My dad told me about an opening at Leisure World, where he was employed. I was eager to begin working, so I said yes right away. I learned that I would begin in the gardening department, but I did not know it would lead to the development of a lifelong career.”

He showed up on Monday, Oct. 1, 1973, and was “intrigued by the vastness of the community inside the walls of Leisure World. My first assignment was at the golf course, and I worked there for a few years.”

He’s a self-starter and his inherent curiosity led him to learn more about new trades. Over the course of time, he worked on irrigation systems and landscaping while taking a lead role with the grounds team. Meanwhile, he also went to night school at Long Beach City College and got his state contractor’s license, among other credentials.

“Around 14 years later, I was ready to move up and try something new,” Gonzalez said. “I applied to the Service Maintenance department and was offered the opportunity to begin working as a plumber. This is where I felt my connection to Leisure World form even more. I was learning new things and had the ability to use my problem-solving skills.

“Since I was a young boy, I always liked working with my hands and figuring out challenges. As a plumber, I not only was able to practice this, but I also began to have more interaction with the shareholders.

“The Leisure World community is full of kind-hearted residents who I got to know over the years, many of whom I would call my friends. When you come to work every day for 50 years, you have to like the job you are doing and the people you work with.”

And it shows in his colleagues’ respect, his department’s high morale and strong resident support.

“Let me congratulate Ruben on his 50th anniversary,” said Senior Director of Facilities Mark Weaver, who is Ruben’s boss. “I have known Ruben for many, many, many years. I appreciate his honesty, integrity, and patience in dealing with difficult situations. It’s been a privilege working with him.”

Service Maintenance Manager Aaron Hensley echoes the sentiment: “Ruben has always been supportive of all staff, especially as it relates to their families. He has been nothing but supportive of my professional development in and out of GRF, especially when having to deal with my long absences due to military obligations.”

Good directors take pride when their teams run like welloiled machines, and Gonzalez has good reason to be proud.

In 2012, Ruben took over as Service Maintenance manager and then in 2022, he was promoted to Service Maintenance director.

“His leadership in the Service Maintenance department is worthy of all the praise you will hear,” Weaver said.

“One of the things I enjoy most about my current role is having the opportunity to mentor and develop my team,” Gonzalez said. “I have known some of them for over 20 years and others, for just a few months, but all of them work hard and allow our department to be successful. Leading them to overcome the challenges that arise makes me feel proud of everything we are able to accomplish.”

Parallel to his career at Leisure World, his personal life has also blossomed over the years. Gonzalez married his lovely wife, Rosie, 40 years ago. They had three beautiful children, Ruben Jr., Karina and Elizabeth, and are now grandparents to Zara, 3, and Remi, 2 months.

“Our dad has been an incredible example to us of hard work and dedication,” said Karina. “He’s always taught us to leave our mark and have a positive influence no matter what we do. Along with our mom, they provided for us so that we could obtain our college educations and establish our careers. We are so proud of him, and he continues to be a role model for us.”

Karina, 36, is senior manager of communications at Bridgestone Americas, and Elizabeth, 30, is a psychiatric social worker at Kaiser Permanente.

“The work-life balance that Leisure World provides allowed me to enjoy watching them grow,” said Gonzalez, “and my fondest memory is watching them play sports in their youth. I am a big baseball fan.”

His namesake son was more than a fan. At 13, Ruben was a 6-foot power hitter who was a summer teammate and good friends with Justin Turner, another baseball standout. There was little doubt that both boys had a real shot at making it to the big leagues. But that dream was cut short when Ruben passed away in a car crash in 1997.

No one has forgotten him in all the years since. His friend Justin Turner did go on to the Major Leagues, and he never forgot his friend Ruben, remaining close to the Gonzalez family to this day.

“I am grateful that the company was there to help me through difficult times and for the opportunities it has offered me over the last 50 years,” Gonzalez said. “Not only that, but Leisure World truly is a caring community, for the shareholders and also for the employees, and I am grateful to be one of them.”

Although he has had many new jobs here as he moved up the ranks, Gonzalez has only had one true first day of work in his entire career. Because of that Leisure World now has the benefit of a half-century of his expertise and the historical knowledge that comes with time.

On behalf of the entire company, Weaver summed it up best: “Thank you, Ruben, for the high level of service that you have provided Seal Beach Leisure World. I wish you more successes and best wishes always!”

“I am so happy to be here doing what I am doing,” Gonzalez said, adding that he has no immediate plans to retire.

So, with any luck at all, this subject-matter expert will continue to make Leisure World a safe haven for all who retire here.