Atanacio
Atanacio Romero
d. June 29, 2015
Atanacio Romero, 93, passed away peacefully at his home in the presence of his loved ones on June 29, 2015. He was born on Cinco de Mayo, 1922, to Lucinda Quintana Romero and Jose Aniceto Romero, in Cuyamungue, NM. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gustavo, Gilbert and Julian, and wife Mary Lou (Ortiz) Romero. He is survived by daughters Cindy (Mark) McNown, Beatrice Romero, sons Joseph (Jeanette Alt-Romero) and Andrew (Gale); grandchildren Joaquin, Camila (Robert) Maestas, Nadalia and Lucas; and great-grandchildren Jesus Romero, Wreynna Dominguez as well as many friends, neighbors, and family near and far.
He grew up working on the family farm, graduated from St. Michael’s High School and went on to serve in the US Army from 1941 to 1949, where he proudly served his country and worked with the USDA. From 1954 to 1979, he worked in Los Alamos for the Atomic Energy Commission Protective Force. On February 19, 1955, he married Mary Lou Ortiz, his soulmate and the love of his life. They were married for 57 years and lived a beautiful love story. The couple resided for 10 years in Los Alamos, and in 1965 relocated with their four children to rural Cuyamungue.
When he retired, Atanacio farmed on his land and also had the time to read up on the history and politics of Northern New Mexico and to educate himself and his neighbors and others about their land and water rights. He and Mary Lou joined the Friendship Force, and made a number of lifelong friends throughout their journeys to Spain, South and Central America, and many of the states. They made friends everywhere they went and exchanged letters for many years after they returned to Cuyamungue.
Antique y Unique was the antique shop he operated with his wife for 19 years, Atanacio loved the selling and interactions with the diversity of people who frequented the antique shop – or just stopped in during their travels because they spied the sign. An exceedingly generous and compassionate man, he loved the opportunity to make a deal and would always help someone out who was in need, to the point that he would buy items that were broken just because he knew the seller needed money.
He loved to share, and was proud and happy when sharing his chile and corn and other garden produce with his family, friends, and others. Even after major heart surgery in 2005, and even this spring at age 93, he spent long hours working in the garden under the hot sun so that he could share his harvest, usually accompanied by stories and political or historical talk. He was ever a gracious host & cook. Those who visited him at his home are well aware that Atanacio rarely made it through a conversation without getting up to search for books, articles and legal papers to support his eager assertions on history, land grants and water rights. “I have documents to prove it!”
Atanacio always cherished gatherings with his family, celebrations, and loved being at every single birthday, anniversary, baptism and graduation. “If he could go, he was there and if he was there, he would lovingly talk with people all day or all night.” During the 12 years he took care of his wife, Mary Lou, with dementia, he would sit next to her, holding her hand, never complaining and always saying “Que suave es la vida”. Each day was precious to him regardless of whether it was a good day or a bad day.
A rosary will be recited on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in Pojoaque, with a mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Lunch will be served after the mass, with Graveside services to follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
In memory of his beloved wife, contributions may be made in the names of Atanacio and Mary Lou Romero to the Alzheimer’s Association. Loved talking with people all day or all night.” He cared for everyone, especially his wife, who he cared for dearly through her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The family of Atanacio Romero has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley, 505-747-7477
He grew up working on the family farm, graduated from St. Michael’s High School and went on to serve in the US Army from 1941 to 1949, where he proudly served his country and worked with the USDA. From 1954 to 1979, he worked in Los Alamos for the Atomic Energy Commission Protective Force. On February 19, 1955, he married Mary Lou Ortiz, his soulmate and the love of his life. They were married for 57 years and lived a beautiful love story. The couple resided for 10 years in Los Alamos, and in 1965 relocated with their four children to rural Cuyamungue.
When he retired, Atanacio farmed on his land and also had the time to read up on the history and politics of Northern New Mexico and to educate himself and his neighbors and others about their land and water rights. He and Mary Lou joined the Friendship Force, and made a number of lifelong friends throughout their journeys to Spain, South and Central America, and many of the states. They made friends everywhere they went and exchanged letters for many years after they returned to Cuyamungue.
Antique y Unique was the antique shop he operated with his wife for 19 years, Atanacio loved the selling and interactions with the diversity of people who frequented the antique shop – or just stopped in during their travels because they spied the sign. An exceedingly generous and compassionate man, he loved the opportunity to make a deal and would always help someone out who was in need, to the point that he would buy items that were broken just because he knew the seller needed money.
He loved to share, and was proud and happy when sharing his chile and corn and other garden produce with his family, friends, and others. Even after major heart surgery in 2005, and even this spring at age 93, he spent long hours working in the garden under the hot sun so that he could share his harvest, usually accompanied by stories and political or historical talk. He was ever a gracious host & cook. Those who visited him at his home are well aware that Atanacio rarely made it through a conversation without getting up to search for books, articles and legal papers to support his eager assertions on history, land grants and water rights. “I have documents to prove it!”
Atanacio always cherished gatherings with his family, celebrations, and loved being at every single birthday, anniversary, baptism and graduation. “If he could go, he was there and if he was there, he would lovingly talk with people all day or all night.” During the 12 years he took care of his wife, Mary Lou, with dementia, he would sit next to her, holding her hand, never complaining and always saying “Que suave es la vida”. Each day was precious to him regardless of whether it was a good day or a bad day.
A rosary will be recited on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in Pojoaque, with a mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Lunch will be served after the mass, with Graveside services to follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
In memory of his beloved wife, contributions may be made in the names of Atanacio and Mary Lou Romero to the Alzheimer’s Association. Loved talking with people all day or all night.” He cared for everyone, especially his wife, who he cared for dearly through her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The family of Atanacio Romero has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley, 505-747-7477
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