Eugene Salazar

EUGENE (GENO) SALAZAR, 61, a resident of Española, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Monday, July 20, 2015 following a sudden illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Sedelia Salazar; brother, Joe Vivian Salazar; sister, Eloisa Martinez; niece, Yvonne Martinez; nephew, Pres Salazar and brother-in-law, Joe B. Velarde. Geno was a loving father, grandfather and friend to all. He had a gentle soul and a heart of gold. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved the outdoors. He enjoyed watching sports of every kind and he played and coached basketball. He was employed with Capitol Ford as an auto body mechanic for most of his career and was later promoted to the Production Manager at CF Collision in Santa Fe. He retired as an auto body professional and spent his retirement residing in Espanola. Geno blessed his family and friends with memories that will be cherished in our hearts forever. Although we want Geno to stay with us, we will humbly give him to our Lord, Jesus Christ, celebrate his life and be grateful for the time the Lord has given us with our beloved Geno. Mr. Salazar is survived by his daughters, Amy and Lindsay Salazar; grandson, Joey Salazar; mother of his children, Cheryl Hernandez; his companion, Terry CdeBaca; sisters, Grace Velarde, Cris Salazar, Cordie Quintana and husband Larry all of Santa Fe and Lupe Salazar; brother, Gabriel Salazar and wife Berna of Española and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Public visitation will begin on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Peace of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a wake to follow  at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Española. Cremation to follow services. Serving the family as pallbearers, Rudy Lujan, Danny Wheeler, Leandro Baca, Raymond Wheeler, Ruben Lujan, Ernest Tapia, Leonard LeRouge and Gabriel Salazar. Honorary pallbearers named; grandson, Joey Salazar, close friend, Leroy Rodriguez; God-daughters, Isabelle Salazar, Desiree Wheeler and Audrey Nicole. The family of Eugene (Geno) Salazar has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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