Aurelio
Aurelio Maestas
d. September 15, 2015
Aurelio “Lito” Maestas, 75, of Cuyamungue passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 15, 2015. Lito was born on February 8, 1940 in La Madera, New Mexico to Joe I. Maestas and Veronice Pena Maestas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Jeffery Walter Maestas, and brother-in-law, Ben Ortiz.
Lito is survived by his sons Diego Maestas (Santa Fe) and Francisco Maestas (Truchas), daughter Eva Grant-Trujillo and husband Adrian G. Trujillo (Cuyamungue). His grandchildren, Cynthia and Evan Grant, Adalyn and Ethan Trujillo, Carlos and Jasmine Maestas. Brother Elmer and his wife Eliza (Albuquerque/Santa Fe), sisters Patsy Ortiz (Nambe), and Marlene Maestas (Albuquerque); and nephews Gene Maestas and wife Becky, Marco Ortiz and wife Lynnea, Ben Ortiz Jr. and wife Nicole; nieces Marla Gabaldon and husband Damian, Marquita Ortiz and husband Cory Brown; and many other relatives and close friends.
Lito was born and spent his first few years in La Madera. His family then moved to California during the War years and then returned home to New Mexico in 1946. They lived in Los Alamos and later moved to Cuyamungue, where he made his home. He studied auto mechanics in high school and later was trained by Uncle Eli to further develop this skill. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army, where he was a mechanic and earned his Marksman and Sharpshooter badges. He continued to work as an auto technician and would often help family and friends fix their cars. He was also a master welder and built his own millwright business in Cuyamungue. He was exceptionally precise, creative, and artistic in his welding profession. Even as a boy, Lito was always tinkering and fixing things around the house. Lito was a very intelligent person with a quiet disposition. He had a bright smile and an infectious laugh. Lito loved fishing and camping, cookouts with his family and friends, working with his tools and classic cars; and his pride and joy, his lawn and gardening. Recently, Lito had been very ill and we know that he has gone to a better place. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers are Francisco Maestas, Diego Maestas, Elmer Maestas, Isador Romero, Diego Alarid, Ernie Montoya, Jimmy Villareal, and Paul Moya. The family of Aurelio “Lito” Maestas has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley.
Lito is survived by his sons Diego Maestas (Santa Fe) and Francisco Maestas (Truchas), daughter Eva Grant-Trujillo and husband Adrian G. Trujillo (Cuyamungue). His grandchildren, Cynthia and Evan Grant, Adalyn and Ethan Trujillo, Carlos and Jasmine Maestas. Brother Elmer and his wife Eliza (Albuquerque/Santa Fe), sisters Patsy Ortiz (Nambe), and Marlene Maestas (Albuquerque); and nephews Gene Maestas and wife Becky, Marco Ortiz and wife Lynnea, Ben Ortiz Jr. and wife Nicole; nieces Marla Gabaldon and husband Damian, Marquita Ortiz and husband Cory Brown; and many other relatives and close friends.
Lito was born and spent his first few years in La Madera. His family then moved to California during the War years and then returned home to New Mexico in 1946. They lived in Los Alamos and later moved to Cuyamungue, where he made his home. He studied auto mechanics in high school and later was trained by Uncle Eli to further develop this skill. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army, where he was a mechanic and earned his Marksman and Sharpshooter badges. He continued to work as an auto technician and would often help family and friends fix their cars. He was also a master welder and built his own millwright business in Cuyamungue. He was exceptionally precise, creative, and artistic in his welding profession. Even as a boy, Lito was always tinkering and fixing things around the house. Lito was a very intelligent person with a quiet disposition. He had a bright smile and an infectious laugh. Lito loved fishing and camping, cookouts with his family and friends, working with his tools and classic cars; and his pride and joy, his lawn and gardening. Recently, Lito had been very ill and we know that he has gone to a better place. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers are Francisco Maestas, Diego Maestas, Elmer Maestas, Isador Romero, Diego Alarid, Ernie Montoya, Jimmy Villareal, and Paul Moya. The family of Aurelio “Lito” Maestas has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley.
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