Candido Tafoya

Candido Tafoya, age 86, of Chamisal, New Mexico went home to be with our Lord and Savior on June 1, 2020.  Candido passed peacefully surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness.  Candido was born in El Valle, NM to Cipriano and Cresenciana Tafoya. Candido is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved grandmother, Refugio Aguilar ‘Mumu’; his sisters Adelia Sandoval and Elsie Salazar; his brother, Floyd Tafoya and most recently his beloved wife of 58 years, Dora Tafoya.  He leaves behind his sons; Cipriano Tafoya, wife Pamela, and Manuel Tafoya, wife Kristin; daughters Annette Dykes, husband James, and  Elena Tafoya ‘daddy’s girl’; his grandsons James Dykes III, Nicholas, wife Morgan, Travis, Austin, Tyson, Dylan and Zachary Tafoya; one great grandson Quinn Tafoya, who brought smiles to his face to the very end.  Brothers in law Archie Abeyta (Margie), Epi Abeyta (Darlene), Ismael Sandoval; sisters in law Edwina Abeyta (Rick Melton), Kate Abeyta and Liz Marrow (Kelly); and a special Aunt Dora Velarde, who was like his sister, along with many nieces, nephews and other loved ones.

He spent his younger years helping on the family homesteads in El Valle and Ojo Sarco.  It was there that he developed his love of the outdoors.  Candido could be found plowing the fields, planting a garden, fishing, chopping wood or just breathing the fresh air.  He was only eleven when his dad passed away, at which time he spent most of his childhood with his Mumu and his Aguilar family.  He shared fond stories of the time he spent with his favorite Tío Eulogio Aguilar, whom he considered his second father and his Tía Dora, whom he called his sister.

Candido left New Mexico in the early 60’s to start his working career for the U.S. Forest Service. In December 1961, he married Dora (‘Woman’ as he called her). In 1964 they moved to Minturn, CO where they raised their family. Like many men from Northern New Mexico, Candido worked at the zinc mine in Gilman.  After the mine closed he worked in construction and then the service industry. Most people knew him as ‘Candy’ because they could not pronounce his name but it was also fitting that he would always have something sweet to share with everyone. By nature he was a quiet man but was loyal, dependable, hard working and brought a smile to those around him. When it came time to retire they decided to come back to NM where he enjoyed fiddling with his tools, listening to New Mexico music, watching cowboy movies, tending to his garden in the summer and gazing at the Jicarita Mountains and the Truchas Peaks. To portray his love of gardening, on the day before he passed he said he was going to plant his peas which we all loved and fought for.

Candido left us many memories. A few examples were his practical jokes, pranks with firecrackers, and his love and dedication to his wife and family.  Shortly after ‘Woman’ passed he expressed he needed to be with her. We know you are resting in peace and happy with our heavenly family.  We will miss you until we meet again our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Randy Tafoya, Arnold Salazar, Ismael Sandoval, Nicholas, Travis and Tyson Tafoya. Honorary pallbearers will be James Dykes III, Austin, Dylan and Zachary Tafoya.

Viewing will be at 6:00pm on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 and Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00pm at DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory in Española.  Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 1:00pm at San Antonio de Padua in Peñasco, NM. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only 75 people will be allowed inside the funeral home and church and everyone in attendance must a wear mask. The family of Candido Tafoya has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477 – www.devargasfuneral.com