Joseph Calvin Suina

During the early morning hours of Monday, February 22, 2016, we
mourned the loss of our beloved father, Joseph Calvin Suina, Sr.. He passed away
peacefully with family by his side at the family residence in Guachupangue. He
was 78. 'Calvin' Suina was born July 17, 1936 to the late Mary Chavez-Suina of
Laguna Pueblo and Joe M. Suina of Cochiti Pueblo. He spent his youth in Cochiti
Pueblo and in 1948, soon found himself attending Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe,

'Calvin' met the future Mrs. Charlotte J. Suina while attending the Santa Fe

boarding school. In high school he took part in every team sport available to him.
Earning himself a letterman's jacket, awards for team sport performance,
scholastic excellence and graduating with honors. After graduating high school
from S.F.I.S. in 1956, he and Miss Charlotte Naranjo found their lives taking
separate paths. She went to school and had training for secretarial work, while he
enlisted in the United States Air Force for 4 years from 1956-1960, Honorable
Discharge Specialty Title APR AC&W RAD RPMN, Related Civilian Occupation RADIO
RPMN 1. Upon returning to the States from military duty in Germany, he began
electrical engineer training as a civilian in Chicago, IL. He was surprised to be
reunited with his high school sweetheart, Miss Charlotte Naranjo, who was working
as a secretary for a law firm in Chicago. Their romance rekindled, he married the
love of his life, Miss. Naranjo at the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis
of Assisi in Santa Fe, NM on December 28, 1961. For the next decade, his career
with Bell Telephone Company (American Telephone and Telegraph, AT&T Corp.) took
him and his new family from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA (Pacific Bell) and
Denver, CO (Mountain Bell). They settled in Santa Clara Pueblo from where Mr.
Suina commuted to work for the next 25 years for USWest Communications (AT&T
Corp.) in Santa Fe and outlying New Mexico communities. He retired from USWest
Communications in 1996 at the age of 60. Mr. Suina enjoyed traveling with his
family whether it was to accompany his son, Joseph C. Suina, Jr. who performed a
solo, trumpet performance in Mexico City, Mexico in 1980 for All-State Band or
their annual family summer trips that took them many places around the U.S.. He
was proceeded in death by his wife of 48 years, Mrs. Charlotte J. Suina, brother
Joseph Pedro 'Pete' Suina, sister-in-law Alice M. Suina, sister Dorothy E. Suina,
parents Maria Chavez-Suina and Joe M. Suina, step-mother Flora Maria Povijua-Suina
of Ohkay Owinge, NM,
father-in-law Jose Claudio Naranjo and mother-in-law Nicolasa
Naranjo, both of Santa Clara Pueblo, and sister-in-law Roberta
Naranjo of Santa Clara Pueblo, brother-in-law Nelson Martinez of
Dulce, NM.
He is survived by his son, Joseph C. Suina, Jr., daughter Deborah
Suina and companion Frank Dallas & family of Arroyo Seco, daughter
Dorothy Suina-Snyder and her husband Dr. Art Snyder & family of Las Cruces, NM,
brother, Edward G. Suina & family of Las Cruces, NM & UT, sister Dr. Rita M. Suina
and her husband Dr. Martin Boyd & family of Las Cruces, NM, brother Leonard Suina
of Las Cruces, NM,
sister-in-law Dorothy Naranjo-Martinez & family of Dulce, NM,
sister-in-law Adella Naranjo-John and her husband Thomas John &
family of WI, brother-in-law Howard Naranjo, Sr. & family of Guachupangue. 9
grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins,
extended family members and friends.
Visitation and rosary were recited at the family residence in
Guachupangue led by Ruby Singer, followed by velorios sung by Los
Hermanos Penitentes de la Fraternidad Piadosa de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, on
Wednesday, February 24, 2016. Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, February 25,
2016 at the Santa Clara Catholic Church, Santa Clara Pueblo. Honorary Pallbearers
were David Willard, Simon Baca, Howard Naranjo, Jr., Joseph Nieto, Kenneth Nieto,
CJ Sprague and Abraham Snyder. Interment followed at the Santa Clara Pueblo
cemetery.
On behalf of the Suina, Chavez and Naranjo families we would like to
Thank the following for the great care and compassion shown to him and in helping
us honor and celebrate his full, happy and productive life. The people of Santa
Clara Pueblo, who warmly greeted and accepted him as one of their own and where he
resided with his wife and family for 41 years. Thank You for their kind words and
prayers spoken in the Tewa language during his interment and at the following
reception at the family residence. Thank You to Santa Clara Governor J. Michael
Chavarria, Santa Clara Lt. Governor James Naranjo. Santa Clara Pueblo CHR Lyle
Lomayma who assessed his health condition at his home. The people of Cochiti
Pueblo, for nurturing, raising and cultivating the strong character of the young
boy who would become a well respected member of his community. Thank You to
Cochiti Pueblo Governor Nicholas Garcia, Lt. Governor Peter Herrera. Special
Thanks to Bernard Suina and Dr. Joseph H. Suina for their kind words and prayers
spoken in his native Keres language during his interment and at the following
reception at the family residence. Los Alamos Visiting Nurses: Debbie-nurse,
Peggy-nurse,
Carla-aide, Raghurai-Physical Therapist. Dr. William Ryan, MD,
Internal Medicine, Espanola Hospital and Dr. Rose E. Greenwald, MD, Internal
Medicine. Espanola Hospital ER and Med/Surg unit staff, ambulance service at
Espanola Hospital, Espanola, NM. The Archdiocese of Santa Fe, San Juan Bautista
Catholic Church, Tewa Mission, Ohkay Owinge, NM, Father Joseph Tao Naguyen and
Deacon Greg Aguilar. Los Hermanos Penitentes de la Fraternidad Piadosa de Nuestro
Padre Jesús Nazareno. Santa Clara Tribal Police and the Rio Arriba County
Sheriff's departments. The Rivera Family Funeral Home, Espanola, NM, Funeral
Director, Chris Vega.
The family requests that instead of flowers, we would hope that you
will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindn