On West 79th Street, Tenants are Like Family

Fernando Gonzalez, the doorman at 171 W. 79th St. says the best part of his job is interacting with the tenants of his building. “It’s like a small town,” he said. “I’ve made great ... friendships with the tenants–and their children and grandchildren. They’re extended family. I know a lot of people.”

Gonzalez is able to make such lasting relationships with tenants because of his openness with them. “If I were in their shoes, and I were walking in here, I’d want to see my doorman as an uncle or a brother; a person I can share things with, or not share things with, a person I can ask for advice or opinions,” he said.

“It’s funny, because a lot of people say: ‘How can you remember this name or that name?’” said Gonzalez. “You know, I have that skill. There’s a lot of information coming at me, but my mind works best when I’m at work. It’s very sharp.”

Gonzalez, who immigrated from Venezuela in 1979, has been on the job since about 1984. He started out as a relief doorman, after a friend hooked him up with the gig. “In 1996, one of the doormen decided to retire. They gave me his job,” he explained. “From that point on, it’s been history.”

When Gonzalez is having a tough day at work, it “doesn’t last” once a tenant cheers him up. He’s the “first line of defense” for their issues and needs, and if the superintendent is out of office for whatever reason, he takes over those responsibilities as well.

“You rebound” from the bad days by staying busy, he said.

Gonzalez gets his drive from his parents, who he refers to as the “cornerstone” of his life: “My father was a truck driver for 40 years, and my mom always took care of the family.”

He met his wife shortly after arriving in the United States and now has two children, a son and a daughter. His son now works with him at the building on W. 79th.

For 35 years, Gonzalez has commuted to work from Rego Park, Queens. “I like where I live. I’ve had my own place for 15 years,” he said.

“On the weekends, I do errands and help out around the house. If it’s summer, I tend to plants in my backyard. I also have indoor plants. I have orchids, for example. If I have more free time, I barbecue.”

Gonzalez, a Mets fan, also makes time to watch his home team. One of his favorite activities, however, is visiting his granddaughter.

“She used to be closer, but it’s not that far. It’s just fifteen or twenty minutes by car.”