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SALAZAR -- Lester Elfego Salazar, 81, died after a sudden stroke March 6, 2006. He was the proud owner of Salazar & Sons Mortuary. Mr. Salazar was born in 1924 to Francisco "Frank" and Candelaria "Lala" (Garcia) Salazar and was the third son among five sons who were raised in the downtown Barelas neighborhood. By watching his grandfather serve families in the funeral industry, he became the third-generation of Salazar's to serve grieving families in Albuquerque. He met his wife, Rebecca "Becky" Sandoval while he was at Albuquerque High School where they both graduated on May 21, 1943. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve where he served during World War II in the South Pacific area until January 1946. Upon his return, he married Rebecca Sandoval on June 26, 1946. The original funeral home was located downstairs in a building at 315 South Third Street, which was the first YWCA in Albuquerque. However, it wasn't until 1946 when both Lester and his brother, Paul, returned from World War II, that he began his profession. The brothers became partners with their father and built the building that is currently at 400 Third St. SW. The architecture was designed in the art-deco style which was popular in the 1940's. Lester and Becky traveled to San Francisco, California in 1948 where he obtained his Mortuary of Science Degree. He was licensed in the state of New Mexico as a Funeral Service Practitioner and conducted funerals until his death. Lester was a former president of the New Mexico Funeral Directors' Association and a former member of the National Funeral Directors' Association. Additionally, he was a life-time member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a driving force at many legislative measures aimed at the New Mexico funeral industry. A devout member of the Roman Catholic Church, he was a man of God who exhibited special love to everyone and he was an active participant in all school and church functions at St. Mary's School. One of Lester's most admirable qualities was his special sense of humor but also his morals and ethics which were standards for others to emulate. Lester Salazar was the last of the funeral directors that were truly undertakers, people who traveled to the family's home upon notice of a death and undertook all the duties related to the deceased. All-night wakes were common when the undertaker left because his initial task was accomplished. In addition, mortuaries were given the task of providing ambulance service. Therefore, Lester performed general ambulance duties which included the living and the dead. Over the years, he trained many apprentices in the art and skill of embalming. Bringing nearly 60 years of experience to his profession, he was a wealth of knowledge. Retirement was never his intention as his satisfaction came from serving generations of families in the community. Lester is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rebecca "Becky" Salazar; his sons: Lester Alfredo Salazar; Jose Salazar; Lawrence Salazar and his wife, Phyllis; and Louis Salazar and his wife, Gloria; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; a few Aunts and Uncles; and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Mr. Salazar will be lying in state at Salazar & Sons Mortuary Saturday, March 11, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2006, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Monday, March 13, 2006 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A Rosary will be recited at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Monday, March 13, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place following the Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by: Salazar & Sons Mortuary 400 Third St. SW 247-4124
        Published on: Sat March 11, 2006