Manuel Serrano

Manuel J. Serrano, 59, a resident of Youngsville, went to be with our Lord’s loving embrace on Thursday, June 15, 2017. Manuel was born on December 15, 1957 to Jose and Anna Maria Serrano, the youngest of 7 children.  Manuel married his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 38 years, Cathy on September 2, 1978. They welcomed their first daughter Maxine (Mel Martinez) a year later and then a second daughter, Angela (Chris Stewart) in 1982.  His daughters later gave him his greatest joys of all, his grandchildren. Lucas Martinez was his first grandson, his querido, his pride and joy, and the bond that they shared was unlike any other. He was later blessed with two granddaughters, Kaylee Martinez and Jaelyn Stewart, and they too filled his heart with so much love, happiness, and purpose. Manuel was an exceptional husband, father and grandfather to say the very least, his love was truly unconditional.
Manuel was a devout Catholic and served as a mayordomo at San Pedro Church. He was a dedicated employee of the Georgia O’Keeffe Foundation for over 30 years. He also served as a school board member for Jemez Mountain Schools, and was an avid Coronado Leopards fan. He loved sports, being outdoors, reading, and listening to Northern NM Spanish music.  He was a generous and caring man, always quick to lend a helping hand. He was also notorious for his good-natured humor, always teasing and joking with friends and family.  He loved and enjoyed life to the fullest, cherishing the simple things in life, and will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.  In addition to his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren, Manuel is survived by his brothers, Filimon and wife Alice of Belen, NM, Joe (Albert) and wife Imelda of Santa Fe, Jose Eugenio (Chano) of El Segundo, CA, brothers-in-law, Dennis Gallegos and wife Mercedes of Coyote, Toby Gallegos and wife Rosemary, Lorenzo Gallegos and companion Cecelia, sisters-in-law, Amada Vialpando and husband Richard, Debra Sandoval and husband Edward all of Canones, Frances Gallegos of Abiquiu and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends; God-children, Ernesto Gallegos, Mikey Tapia, and Alicia Gallegos, and niece, who he considered a sister, Loretta Valdez and husband Ted of Pueblo, CO.
Manuel is reuniting in heaven with his parents, brothers Merced, Merced, and Belarmino, sisters, Maria and Mildred, father-in-law, Dalio Gallegos, mother-in-law, Orlinda Gallegos, sister-in-law, Virginia Serrano and two brothers-in-law, Johnny Velasquez and Anthony “Tony” Gallegos.
Public visitation will begin on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Abiquiu, with a  rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Abiquiu. Burial will follow at the San Pedro Cemetery in Youngsville with Father James Sanchez officiating the services.
Serving as pallbearers are: John Serrano, Jack Serrano, Ernesto Gallegos, Bryan Velasquez, Carlos Bustos, Kenny Romero. Honorary pallbearers are: Paul Serrano, Ray Jacquez, and Estevan Herrera. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission, 6200 Uptown Blvd. NE Suite 210 Albuquerque, N.M. 87110. The family of Manuel J. Serrano has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com

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