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Salazar -- Paul J. Salazar 1923-1999 Paul J. Salazar, 76, Patriarch of a pioneer New Mexico and Albuquerque family, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home at 1313 Lafayette NE. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Carmelita Remedios Salazar y Garcia. Paul Salazar was the former owner of Salazar and Sons Mortuary, a landmark business in downtown Albuquerque, located at Third and Lead SW. He was preceded in death by is father, Frank A. Salazar in 1962, and mother, Candelaria Salazar y Garcia in 1982. His father, Frank and his mother, Lala, were both from pioneer founding families of Albuquerque. Paul Salazar was born November 27, 1923 in Albuquerque at the old Garcia & Salazar Mortuary at Third and Silver SW. He attended downtown schools and graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1941. Like many men of his time, he served in World War II. He was a member of the 10th Armor Division, Third Battalion, where he fought in the famed"Battle of the Bulge" in Bastiogne, Belgium. He was awarded the Purple Heart among other awards for his wartime service. Paul married Carmelita Garcia on June 27, 1943 at St. Francis Church in full Military Uniform and full Military Honors. After the war, Paul went to the San Francisco School of Mortuary Service. Paul was very active in the Community. Together with his lifelong friend, former State Senator Mike Alarid, they founded American Legion Post 72, which became one of the largest and most influential Veteran's organizations of its day. Paul was a past President of the New Mexico Funeral Directors Association, a member of the Elks Club, and worked in numerous political campaigns. Many families will remember Paul for his warm and professional manner as he attended to families at the time of the death of their loved ones. After Paul retired, Paul and Carm traveled in Europe and throughout the United States. He obtained a real estate license in 1980 and practiced real estate under the mid-1980s. At that time, Paul chose to become close to a passion of his, the law and the administration of Justice. He became Chief Judge John Brennan's Court Room Assistance and Jury Manager, where he served for a decade. He had a great knack for treating everyone as a special individual. He had an innate respect for the dignity of people and treated them all with respect. Children and teenagers could see it as he paid special attention to them as individuals. He was equally at home with the rich and powerful and the young and fragile. He was an honest, kind and optimistic man that loved all people. He loved his heritage, his home and his family. Paul's death came quickly. He did not suffer and he was alert up to the end. He retained his open honesty and optimism to the end and was happy to be around his beloved family and his lifetime companion of over 50 years, his beloved wife, Carmelita. Paul is also survived by his five sons and one daughter, and nine grandchildren, Mike and Joanne Salazar and their daughter, Cassandra and her her husband, Jeff Ostic of Albuquerque, Don and Bergit Salazar and their daughter, Auben and son, Paul of Santa Fe, Richard and Eva Salazar and their daughter, Evita of Taos, Barbara and Ron Jaynes and their children, Scott and Marisa of Albuquerque, David and Melody Salazar and their children, Devon and Whitney of San Antonio, TX, and Frank C. Salazar and his daughter, Jackie of Corrales.
        Published on: Tue September 21, 1999