Alfonso "Alfo" Age - 88 - Velarde Atencio

Alfonso "Alfo" Atencio 88, from Velarde, NM. Born September 27, 1923 died unexpectedly in loving comfort, surrounded by his family on February 19, 2012. Alfonso was first and foremost a loving husband, father and "Pampa". He was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1943 he became a proud recruit of the US Navy at the height of World War II in which he served proudly as a second class petty officer in the Construction Battalion Division in Papaua New Guinea. When he returned home in 1946, he married his beloved Emma with whom he shared his wonderful life for 66 years. Alfonso worked in Los Alamos for 40 years; he also proudly served as a Probate Judge and was an active member in the Velarde Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years. He was a skilled mason and was very proud of the "fogons" that he became known for. He taught a class at NNMCC on how to build these adobe fireplaces passing on a vanishing tradition. He was a well known and respected member of his community. He never turned away from helping a neighbor or a stranger and gave always from his heart. Alfonso is survived by his loving wife Emma; his two beautiful daughters: Ruth Montoya, Annabella Fresquez and husband Bobby; his two sons: Alex Atencio and wife Blanca and Jose Atencio; sister, Celina "Sally" Carrillo. He dearly loved his 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, their husbands and wives, and expressed his pride regularly in all of them. He will be missed more than words can express. His lessons on giving and loving cherished forever. Public visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel at DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a devotional service to follow at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Velarde with burial to take place at 2:15 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. The family of Alfonso “Alfo” Atencio has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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