Deacon Pete Garcia

Deacon Pete I. Garcia, 97, a resident of Cuyamungue and born in Nambe, was called home to the Lord on Sunday, August 27, 2023. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather, always bragging about five generations.

He is preceded in death by his wife Katie M. Garcia, Pacifica and Antonio Garcia, son in-law Sam Artino, sister Elisaida and brother in-law Jerry Trujillo, brother Sam Garcia, sister Marian Barnes, and great-grandson Matthew Romero.

Pete was known by so many as “Grandpa Pete” or “Deacon Pete” to the people of the community where he served for 30 years as a Deacon at Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Parish in the Pojoaque Valley.  He was welcomed at the gates of heaven by his lovely wife, Katie M. Garcia, also known by so many as “Grandma Kate.”  Pete was always a religious man with strong faith. After a serious accident and a lengthy stay in the hospital, his prayers to the Virgin Mary and her apparition in the hospital, his faith became stronger.  This led to him giving his life to serve the Lord and his community; thus motivating him to become a deacon.   He has touched the lives of so many with his love and faith.  He was so blessed with so many family, friends, and the community who visited him these last couple of months to pray with him, sing with him, bring him delicious desserts which he loved and truly enjoyed until the end.  We thank everyone who has reached out to offer their condolences and to share all their special stories each of them with beautiful stories on how “Grandpa Pete or Deacon Pete” touched their lives and have made them who they are today.  He will be greatly missed, but we know he was welcomed into heaven with open arms and finally met the Lord whom he served for so many years.  We all have another special angel to watch over us as the rain has been pouring from above.  We will miss him deeply but let the memories and the love and faith that he has shared with each of us live on forever through all the lives that he has touched. 

He is survived by his children Esther Artino, Leonard Garcia (Belle Marie), and Mary Frances Gomez. Grandchildren Matthew Romero (Rose), Melissa Mascarenas, Alfio Artino (Vanessa), Daniel Garcia (DeAnn), Diego Gomez (Maribel), and Feliz Vigil (Randy). Great-grandchildren Tommy Ray Mascarenas, Samantha Baros, Marcos Artino (Amber), Shane Artino, Mario Artino, Alicia Artino, Katie Garcia, Mariah Garcia, Sebastien Gomez, Analyssa Gomez, Araya Vigil, Everett Vigil, Britta Vigil.  Great-great grandchildren Chanel Romero, Joaquin Mascarenas, Zach Mascarenas, Timaeus Aguilar, Helios Aguilar, Daneiris Aguilar, Jason Artino, and Anthony Artino. Brother Manuel Garcia (Mary Ann) and sister in-law Alice Garcia. 

A public visitation will begin on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe del Valle de Pojoaque (NSDG) at 6:00 pm with a rosary to follow at 7:00 pm. A second rosary will be on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 9:00 am also at NSDG followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10:00 am and burial at 1:30 pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with military honors.

Pallbearers bring Deacon Pete Garcia to his place of rest will be Matthew Romero, Alfio Artino, Diego Gomez, Daniel Garcia, Tommy Ray Mascarenas, and Everett Vigil.

Honorary Pallbearers, Herman Trujillo, Joseph Duran, Wilfred Romero, and Mark Trujillo.

The family of Deacon Pete Garcia has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of the Espanola Valley.   505-747-7477    www.devargasfuneral.com.