|
BENJAMIN H. GALLEGOS Age 76, our Lord blessed our father by joining him with our mother in Heaven, peacefully surrounded by his family on the early morning of August 15, 2009. Ben was born on September 26, 1932 in Santa Rita, New Mexico, to Martin and Lucy Gallegos who preceded him in death. Ben was raised in Bayard, New Mexico. Ben attended Western New Mexico University, where he graduated #1, Magna Cum Laude, earning his degree in Business Administration. He was awarded "The Wall Street Journal Award" for academic excellence and achievement. He was also accepted to Harvard University. The most remarkable thing about our daddy is that he accomplished all this, married, raising three little children and working the graveyard shift at the Santa Rita Copper Mine! He retired from state government, where he held various positions with the Department of Finance and Administration, the Department of Human Services, specifically Administrator of both the Ft. Bayard Hospital and the Miner's Hospital in Raton, NM. He was an amazing individual and mentor with incredible values, strength, integrity and courage. He fought a difficult physical struggle throughout his life with grace and dignity. He will always be remembered for his compassion, devotion and dedication to the people with special needs and the elderly citizens of New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Eugenia "Mable" Gallegos; and brothers, Luciano, Cosme, Paul and Sam Gallegos. He is survived by his children: Peggy Brewer and husband Scott, Ben Jr. and wife Rhonda, Patti Griego, Susan Halford and husband Richard; sister, Flora Gary of Silver City; brother, Martin Gallegos of Fullerton, California; grandchildren: Shannon Griego, Steve Lucero, Leah Lucero (Ryan Garica), Ben, Miguel, Ashley, Erik and Jeremy Gallegos and Sydney B. Halford; great grandchildren: Kali Gallegos and Gwen Xochitl Garcia; and numerous other relatives and friends. Honorary Pallbearers: Luciano "Lucky" Varela, Patricio Serna, Joe Roybal and Governor Bruce King. "As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death" Leonardo da Vinci And now, we lay to rest a brilliant mind..Memorial contributions can be made to the Carrie Tingley Hospital in Albuquerque, NM. A Visitation will be held at Berardinelli Family Chapel on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 6 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m. A Mass will be celebrated at St. John Catholic Church on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 9 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600
|
