|
Joseph "Joe" Montoya Tafoya, 86, resident of Albuquerque, passed away in his home Monday, August 17, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rita Lopez Tafoya; son, Joseph R. Tafoya and wife, Penny Lindgren; grandsons, Dominic Matthew, and Joseph Par William; sisters, Viola Gurule of Ojo Caliente, NM, and Natalia "Nattie" Baca and husband, Phil; brother-in-law, Johnny Serrano, all of Albuquerque; sister-in-law, Elma Lopez of Socorro; and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe was born April 11, 1923 in Polvadera, NM. He was the sixth of thirteen children born to Juan P. and Isabelita M. Tafoya. He and his loving wife, Rita, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June of 2009. Joe was of the greatest generation who served honorably in the 8th Air Force in England in WW II. His unit was sent to Normandy and Utah Beach, they fought through France and into Weisbaden, Germany. Before his discharge, he was a security guard for the Nurnberg trials. He returned from WW II and received his degree in Industrial Arts from Highland University. After teaching for four years, he worked in the Albuquerque area for 33 years, retiring from General Electric in 1985. Before and after retirement, Joe and Rita traveled extensively including a trip to their ancestral homes in Tafalla and Majorica, Spain. Rosary will be recited Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas NE. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, Presbyterian Hospice, 8100 Constitution Pl., Suite 400, Albuquerque, NM 87110, or Casa Angelica Auxiliary, P.O. Box 30683, Albuquerque, NM 87190-0683. Please visit our online guestbook for Joe at www.RememberTheirStory.com. French 1111 University Blvd. NE. (505) 843-6333
|
