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Deacon Alfonso Montoya, a resident of Albuquerque, went to be with Our Lord on Tuesday, December 14, 1999. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Clorinda Saavedra Montoya; one son, Lawrence Mendoza and wife, Sandra of Albuquerque; three daughters, Cathy Castillo and Benny of Albuquerque, Eileen Garcia and husband, Ben of Los Alamos and Enedina Anabelle Miller and husband, Ben of Yorktown, VA; eight grandchildren, Brian Miller and wife, Heather, Senior Airman Jason Miller and wife, Felicia, Mark Zamora, Matthew and Nicholas Garcia, Clorinda Jo Torrez and husband, Gabriel, Lance Corporal Christopher Mendoza and Steven Mendoza; four great-grandchildren, Alex Miller, Dustin Miller, Dominik and Arianna Torrez; one brother, Orie Montoya and wife, Nellie; two sisters, Viola Ekdahl and husband, Bill and Genevieve Miller and husband, Robert; two sisters-in-law, Stella Giron and husband, Florian and Eloisa Montoya; one brother-in-law, Eliseo Saavedra and wife, Jennie; and several nieces, nephews and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Octaviana Montoya and brothers, Alfred and Eugene Montoya. Deacon Montoya was born August 22, 1928 in Casa Colorada, New Mexico. He served in the U.S. Army and in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the New Mexico Army National Guard after 40 years of military service. He received numerous personal decorations and unit citations. He was a life member of the American Legion and a Third Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. He had worked for the NM State Fair Security for several years. He retired as a Civil Service employee after 35 years. He was presently employed by ADC Limited Security. Deacon Montoya was a member of Sacred Heart Church and ordained Deacon on May 19, 1979. He served as Deacon at Sacred Heart Church for 20 years. He was a member of La Fraternidad de Nuestro Padre Jesus de Nazareno in Veguita, New Mexico. Deacon Montoya and his wife had been foster parents for 41 years to numerous children. Rosary for Deacon Alfonso will be on Thursday, December 16, 7:00 p.m., at Sacred Heart Church, 412 Stover Ave. SW, with visitation beginning at 6:00 p.m. Archbishop Sheehan will celebrate Mass at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 17 at Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Brian Alfonso Miller, Jason Randolph Miller, Mark Patrick Zamora, Christopher Lawrence Mendoza, Steven Robert Mendoza, Gabriel Martin Torrez, and two of his Godsons, Patrick Anthony Giron and Gary Michael Montoya. Honorary pallbearers will be Los Hermanos de la Fraternidad de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazereno. The family would like to thank Dr. John Storey and his staff at the St. Joseph's Heart Hospital for all their professional care given to Deacon Montoya and their personal and courteous care given him and his family. A very special thanks to Father Moore of Sacred Heart Church for his spiritual care and guidance to Deacon Alfonso and his family. Deacons attending funeral services are asked to please vest. Arrangements by the Salazar & Sons Mortuary, 400 Third St. SW.
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