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ROYBAL -- Benjamin Roybal. Our family was blessed with a wonderful person; he was a son, brother, husband, father and grandfather and great-grandfather, father-in-law, uncle, cousin and a good friend. In the presence of his loving family, after losing a courageous fourteen-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Benjamin Roybal, age 74, went to be with his Lord Jesus on June 19, 2004. He was born in Las Colonias, New Mexico on April 23, 1930 to Miguel and Paulita Roybal. He made his home in Pecos, NM in 1975, Benjamin was Mayordomo, and Eucharistic Minister of St. Anthony's Parish in Pecos prior to moving to Santa Fe six years ago. Currently he was a member of Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community. He retired in 1991 after forty-five years with the AT&SF Railroad. His supervisory position took him away from home, traveling the railways throughout the North and Southwest. Benjamin continued his love for travel after his retirement, and it's no wonder; he had seen and experienced so many people and places and wanted to share them with his family. Every summer he and Deluvina would pack all ten kids in the back of their pickup, "con tuy camper", and off they went to explore this great country of ours. He also had a passion and great respect for the outdoors, camping and fishing was his therapy. But in his woodworking shop, making furniture and toys was his hobby and where he spent his latter years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Miguel and Paulita Roybal; mother-in-law, Lucaria Gonzales, step-mother-in-law, Cora Gonzales, nephew, Stanley Roybal and great-granddaughter, Cierra Gonzales. Benjamin is survived by his loving/care-giving wife of 54 years, Deluvina G. Roybal; ten children, sons, Ben Jr. and friend, Rachael Gallegos of Santa Fe, Barney Roybal and wife, Mary, Michael Roybal and friend, Michelle Adams of Albuquerque and Toby Roybal and wife, Melinda, of Pecos, NM; daughters, Beatrice Roybal and friend, Patrick King, Pauline Roybal of Albuquerque, Alyce Roybal and friend, Debbie Corazzi, Cecilia Roybal, Antoinette Alire and husband, Duane, all of Santa Fe and Rozina Tanuz, of San Diego, CA; 15 grandchildren, Vincent Moya, Robert Moya, Olivia Oshiro and husband, Brian, Efren Gonzales, Erika Pompa, Diego Pompa, Steven Tanuz and fiancee, Taniel Rodriguez, Denise Ailport and husband, Eric, Jason Roybal, Jeremy Roybal, Stephanie Sena, Miquela Sena, Jessica Sena, Fred Michael Velasquez and wife, Robin, and Julian Velasquez; also great-grandchildren, Noah Gonzales, Zachary Ailport, Sidney and Zoe Velasquez; brothers, Joe (Isaias) Roybal and wife, Maryanne of Ft. Collins, CO, Louis Roybal and wife, Connie of Las Cruces, NM; sisters, Irene Roybal and husband, Carlos and Josie Soto of Greeley, CO, Oralia (Riley) Ortiz, Flora Velasquez and husband, Fred of Albuquerque; father-in-law, Cristobal Gonzales; brothers-in-law, Pat Gonzales and wife, Gloria, Jimmy Gonzales and wife, Bobbie all of Raton, NM, Rev. Seferino Gonzales and wife, Mary of Thornton, CO, George Sandoval and wife, Perciliana, Estevan Gonzales all of San Isidro Norte, NM; sisters-in-law, Rebecca Gonzales also of San Isidro Norte, Celestina Trujillo of Tucumcari, NM and Kathy Gonzales of Alamosa, CO. Also his dearest cousins and constant companions, Mary Oberem and husband, Ron of Centennial, CO, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Viewing will take place from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community, 11 College Ave., 2.5 miles off S. Richards Ave., Santa Fe, NM with a Rosary following. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Pecos, NM, Wednesday, June 23, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. with interment in San Isidro Norte, NM. Pallbearers are Ben Roybal Jr., Barney Roybal, Toby Roybal, Michael Roybal, Leroy Gonzales, Ruben Aragon, Ron Oberem and Frank Martinez. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163 or Odyssey Hospice Program, 1701 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Santa Fe Funeral Options 417 E. Rodeo Rd. 989-7032
        Published on: Wed June 23, 2004