Juan Elizario Age - 81 - Arroyo Seco Montoya

Juan Elizario Montoya, 81 a resident of Arroyo Seco passed away November 2, 2011, surrounded by his loving family, after an illness with cancer. He was born May 25, 1930 in Nambe and graduated from El Rito Normal School in 1950. He served our Country in the US Army during the Korean War from 1951-53 and was stationed at Ft. Monmouth and Ft. Dix, New Jersey. Following his service, he worked at the Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe as a Chef where he met his wife Isabel Martinez whom he married in 1956. He graduated from the College of Santa Fe in 1966 where he received his Bachelor of Science in Education. He started his teaching career at Chama High School before moving to Sombrillo Elementary where he taught until 1974. He then began the Culinary Arts program at the then New Mexico Technical Vocational Institute in 1974. After 6 years at the NMTVI he returned to Sombrillo Elementary where he eventually retired in 1988. Juan was an avid Basketball fan and spent numerous years coaching both the boys and girls elementary basketball teams. In 13 years he won 9 championships in various tournaments across Northern New Mexico with the Vikings. He later returned to his love of cooking at St. Michael’s High School where he ran the school cafeteria for 3 years and then returned to teach at Holy Cross School until 1995. Juan was a devout Catholic serving for many years in the ministries at Santa Cruz de La Canada as a Lector/Commentator, Catechism Teacher and Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of the Union Catolica del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus in Nambe since 1963. He loved the land and water and was an avid farmer and involved with the Acequias in Sombrillo and Nambe. He was preceded in death by his parents, Abel and Eva Montoya; brother, Gilbert Montoya. He is survived by his wife, Isabel Martinez Montoya; daughters: Irina Velarde (Archie) and Carla Montoya-Rivera; sons: Harry (Doris), John (Loyola) and Harold (Swanne); grandchildren Harry Brian and Angelo Juan Montoya, Livia Peters and Roberta Velarde and Sophia, Cayla and Elizario Rivera; sister Angelina Roybal; brothers-in-law: Rubel Martinez (Laura), Gilbert Martinez (Delia); Sisters-in-law: Adelina Quintana, Amada Villareal and Ermelinda Martinez. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Services will be held beginning Friday, November 4, 2011 with a public visitation at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nambe from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. with a rosary to follow at 7:00. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November, 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nambe with Fr. Jose Maria Blanch and Fr. Flavio Santillanes officiating. Burial will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery with full Military honors with the following serving as pallbearers, Harry Brian and Angelo Juan Montoya, Livia Peters and Roberta Velarde, Sophia, Cayla and Elizario Rivera, Leonard Roybal and Dennis Quintana. Honorary pallbearers are Gilbert Martinez, Romolo Griego, Aaron Griego and Rubel Martinez. The family of Juan Montoya has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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