|
Frank (Pancho) Padilla, one of the last patrons of New Mexico politics, passed away Monday morning at the age of eighty-five. This son of Puerto de Luna, NM was a great American patriot who served his country in WWII. As his son remarked, "he was great at anything he wanted to do, but greatest in the love and concern for his family. He adored his wife (mom) for 63 years. When my wife died last year, he called me almost daily, asking me "Buddy, are you okay?" Politically he was the best. Leaders of both parties loved him. He was "New Mexico's political historian." He is survived by his wife, Helen R. Padilla; his children, Steve Padilla, Frances Marquez, Dolores Marshall, Marianne and Roger Tapia, Linda and John Fay; ten grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. His granddaughter, Angela Fay describes her grandpa "as the most determined man I have ever known. His heart was filled with kindness, generosity, and most of all love. He cared so much about the well-being of everyone but himself. He was full of life, and was always on the go. My dearest memories of him were just driving in the car on a Sunday afternoon to basically anywhere just to look at the land. He has always been there, and he has touched many hearts. He will be forever loved and forever missed." Vaya con dios nuestro papa querido, tan carinoso. A Rosary will be prayed Thursday, 7:00 p.m. and a Mass will be said on Friday at 10:00 a.m., both at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, at the corner of Lomas and Morningside Blvds. NE, and the burial will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday in Santa Fe at the National Cemetery.
|
