Abenancio Aguilar

José Abenancio Aguilar, 93, a life-long resident of Peñasco, joined the love of his life Cordelia on Monday, August 17, 2015. Classmates from first grade all through grade school in El Valle, they were married in 1951. Together for 55 years, Cordie preceded Abe in death in 2006. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Rubel Aguilar and Refugio Abeyta Aguilar; sister Cresenciana Tafoya Salazar; brothers Eulogio (and wife Flora), Patrocinio (and wife Candelaria), Liberato (and wife Cedelia) sister in-law Angie; and grandson, Jerome Aguilar. Abe is survived by his children, Wilfredo and wife Gaylen, Peñasco, Edward and wife Dolores, Ponderosa, Louella and husband Antonio Gurulé, Albuquerque, Dolores and husband Ned Martinez, Peñasco, Andy, Albuquerque, and Daniel and wife Amie, El Prado. Grandchildren include Lorrie (Lawrence), Marylou Cordelia (Brian), José Abenancio (April), Antonia, Cassie, Natalia, Rubel, Ned (Emilio), Nichole, Daniel Esteban, Ariana, and five great- grandchildren Isaiah, Isabella, Anthony Jerome, Iliana, and Lucas, along with the upcoming arrival of a great-granddaughter to José Abenancio (Jabé) and April in January 2016. Also surviving Abe are brother Samuel Aguilar and sister Dora Velarde, both of Salt Lake City, along with sister-in-law Dulce Romero of Taos and brother-in-law Samuel Martinez of Albuquerque. Furthermore, Abenancio will be missed by his extended family, particularly his many nieces and nephews on the Romero and Aguilar sides of the family who considered Abe their second father and special tío Abe.

Abenancio was born in the tiny mountain village of El Valle on the Rio Las Trampas. He left El Valle at 18 years of age in 1940 to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) In Colorado and New Mexico, completing his service at Magdalena, NM. He joined the Navy at the onset of World War II before he received his draft notice, and served tours in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters, achieving the rank of Gunners Mate 2nd Class. World War II changed Abes life, as it did the lives of so many in small, rural northern New Mexico. It opened the world to him; the opportunity to travel, and on his return afforded him an extended education. After being discharged, he returned to El Valle and Peñasco to continue his schooling. He completed his GED with the support of the Sisters of St. Anthony in Peñasco, and then went on to earn BA and Masters degrees in Education at Highlands University. Abe was an educator for 33 years first in Ojo Caliente and the rest of his teaching career in the Peñasco Independent School system, where he taught Math and Drivers Ed and Industrial Arts at the High School. He served as principal for a time, and also coached basketball, baseball and cross-country. A member of the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Peñasco, Abe helped build the Peñasco Presbyterian church, and served as a delegate to the Presbytery of Santa Fe. He also served for 38 years as a member of the Rio Lucio Domestic Water Association. His passion in life was his family, his ranch and apple orchard, scouting for and gathering wood in the mountains of his childhood, hunting and fishing with his brother Pat and their sons. He followed the UNM Lobos and the Colorado Rockies faithfully. Abe and Cordie were particularly proud of encouraging and ensuring that all six of their children attended and earned their degrees from UNM. Grandpa Abe loved sharing stories of his life experiences with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all his nephews and nieces. He also enjoyed caring for his beloved dog, cats and cattle.

A celebration of Abes life will be held on Friday, August 21, at 7:00 p.m. at the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Peñasco. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Abenancios name be made to Menaul School in Albuquerque, NM, to the Peñasco Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice. Donations to Menaul may be mailed to Advancement Office/301 Menaul Blvd. NE/Albuquerque, NM 87107. Donations to Emmanuel Presbyterian Church may be sent to Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, PO Box 189 Peñasco, NM 87553-0189. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com