Toby Trujillo

Tobias Jose Ricardo Trujillo

April 2, 1947 – October 12, 2024

Toby Trujillo, 77, a resident of Rio Chiquito, New Mexico, concluded his life’s journey on October 12, 2024. 

Toby was preceded in death by his parents: Estevan and Clarita Trujillo; his sisters Marie Vigil and Felice Salazar, his beloved grandson Kenny Trujillo.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elsie Trujillo, his daughter Clarita (Michael) Trujillo and his son Julio (Melissa) Trujillo; grandchildren, Tristan (Jaclyn) Trujillo, Faith Trujillo, Ayesha Martinez, Matthew, David and Madelyn Owen; five great grandchildren, Kylie, Kayden, Kamerynn, Theodore Toby and Trey; his sister Lucy (Juan) Trujillo, brothers Estevan (Nora) Trujillo and Julian (Helen) Trujillo; two brother in laws, Jake Vigil and Al Salazar and a multitude of nephews, nieces and friends.

Toby volunteered to join the Army during the Vietnam War at the age of 17, and returned home to attend Barber School in El Rito and then proceeded later to earn an accounting degree at the Albuquerque Community College. He met and married his wife Elsie in 1969 where they lived in Albuquerque and Grants for four years. Along this life’s journey this couple produced two loving children, Clarita and Julio. In 1974 they moved back to Toby’s beloved Rio Chiquito. The following two and a half years involved scraping every penny they made into building a home. Spending many nights plastering and working on this home after working for the Espanola School Administration and later at Los Alamos National Laboratory was challenging but well worth it in the end. 

Toby retired from Los Alamos in 2002 after 25 years of service where he made an abundance of friends. His coworkers often referred to him as the Mayor of Rio Chiquito. In a way this could have been true because he served as an Acequia and Cemetery Commissioner, ran the Rio Chiquito Water Association and served several terms as Mayordomo of the Rio Chiquito Sagrada Corazon y San Isidro Church while serving at Santuario for approximately 15 years.

Toby was a Barber, an Accountant, a Property Manager and an all-around country handyman. His talents were enlisted by family, friends and neighbors. Those who knew Toby also knew he was always trying to improve his community and support his loved ones. He was a proud Veteran belonging to the American Legion Post 89 out of Truchas, New Mexico. There were many things precious to him: his love for his Faith, his Country, his Family and Friends. Toby leaves a legacy of hard work, dedication, humor, faith and most importantly LOVE.

Rosary will be held on:

DATE: 10/19/2024; TIME: 1:00 pm; LOCATION: Holy Family Parish in Chimayo

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on:

DATE: 10/19/2024; TIME: 2:00 pm; LOCATION: Holy Family Parish in Chimayo

Following the rosary and mass, the internment will be at the Rio Chiquito Cemetery.

Serving as Pall Bearers are: 

Eddie Trujillo, Michael Salazar, Allen Trujillo, Estevan Trujillo, Isaac Trujillo, Ruben Trujillo, and Matthew Trujillo

Honorary Pall Bearers are:

Javier Vigil, Veronica, Faith, and Tristan Trujillo, Belinda Hallock, George, Victor and David Maestas and Sara Beth Montoya.

The family of Toby Trujillo has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. www.devargasfuneral.com 505-747-7477