Antonio - Age 82 - El Llano - Espinoza

ANTONIO (TONY) ESPINOZA, 82 a resident of El Llano passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 1, 2013. He was preceded in death by his grandson that he raised, Donald Espinoza and his fiancé, Amelia Martinez and baby Natalie; parents, Celestino and Refugito Espinoza; brother, Don Espinoza; sisters, Amy Archuleta, Erlinda Perez, and Clara Martinez; and special friend, Epifanio Olivas.Tony was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Everyone he met says he was an amazing and loving person. He was always happy to make new friends. Tony prided himself on having a strong family and considered them his greatest accomplishment. He was born 1 of 8 children to Celestino and Refugito Espinoza. As a young boy he spent time with his family living in many places including Chimayo, Santa Rita and El Llano. He enlisted in the United States Army and spent two years overseas in Germany. He moved to California and married his wife Edna of 55 years where they began to raise a family. While in California he worked in the airplane manufacturing industry. They returned from California in 1961 where he built his own home and raised 3 generations of family. He worked and retired from the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Even after retirement Antonio continued to work at the Tesuque Post Office and even more at home until his passing. Tony enjoyed being in the mountains and especially going for wood. He enjoyed going for long rides with his wife. He loved farming and had many animals throughout his life time. Tony enjoyed sports and was a lifelong fan of the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants. He loved watching his grandchildren play sports and was always ready to cheer them on at their baseball and basketball games. He was an active member of the Victory Faith Church for the last 13 years and enjoyed attending service and talking with everyone. Mr. Espinoza is survived by his wife, Edna; daughter, Donna Salazar (Mike); sons, Mark (Kim) and Jeff Espinoza; grandchildren who he raised, Marcos Espinoza (LeeAnn), Audrey Salazar Valdez (Domonic), Brandon Lieber, Kayla Espinoza and his consentida, Alisha Salazar; great-grandchildren, Jose Espinoza, Nikkolas and Haylee Valdez, Mellissa and Marius Sanchez, and Twyla Sisneros; brother, Geraldo Espinoza (Corine); sisters, Carmen Gallegos (Archie), and Carrie Lopez (Horace); sister-in-law, Andrieta Espinoza; special Tio and Tia Andres and Grace Salazar; extended family, Brigida Olivas and family of Norwalk, CA and many other family and friends. Cremation has taken place. Devotional service will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at Victory Faith Church in Española. Burial to follow on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Antonio will be carried to his final resting place by his babies Kayla, Haylee and Missy. The family of Antonio (Tony) Espinoza has entrusted their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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