Leopoldo - Age 94 - Esquibel

Fortified with the Sacraments of the Holy Mother Church, Leopoldo Esquibel transitioned from time here on earth to eternity with the Lord. He died peacefully with his family around him. He was 94. He is preceded in death by his parents, Max and Emilia Esquibel, his sister Mary Swartz, and a special uncle and aunt, Rev. Alfonso V. and Ada Esquibel. Leo is survived by Maria Nimfa, his wife of 73 years; sons Edward, Alan and wife Maria, Rick and wife Wendy; daughters Lorraine and husband John Rodriguez, Emily and husband Craig DeForest, Marilee and husband Tom Yamarone. They have 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Tony and wife Jo Esquibel; brother-in-law Amarante and wife Placida Trujillo, sisters-in-law Bernie Martinez and Josephina Trujillo, and numerous close cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Leo was born in New Mexico in 1916 and attended Menaul School in Albuquerque where he met his wife and life-long partner Nimfa. He served in the Armed Forces during WWII and settled his family in Santa Fe, New Mexico until 1963 when they moved to San Leandro, California. He was a devout Catholic having served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Hayward. He worked for the U.S. Post Office until retirement. At the time of his death, he was a resident at Alma Via Assisted Care Living in Union City, California. Leo was a good husband, father and grandfather. He always encouraged his children and grandchildren to obtain a good education, celebrating their successes with much happiness. He loved New Mexico history and folklore, sports and visiting the Spanish Missions. He had a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and was a former parishioner of what is now the Santuario de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in Santa Fe. Services will be held on Monday, May 10, 2010 at the Santuario de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe at 417 Agua Fria Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visitation and rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m.; Mass will begin at 12:00 noon with interment at 1:30 PM at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Santuario de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. Arrangements have been entrusted to the DeVargas Funeral Home at 623 Railroad Avenue, Espanola, New Mexico 87532,

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