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BACA, PATRICK JOSEPH Seventh son of Refugio and Filomena Baca, Pat Baca died peacefully at home, amidst his loving family, on November 25, 2014. Born in 1927 in the Five Points neighborhood in the South Valley of Albuquerque, he and his three sisters and nine brothers were children of the Great Depression. Pat entered the U.S. Army days after graduating from Saint Mary's High School and served after World War II in Italy. Upon his discharge, he used the G.I. Bill to attend college where he met his wife Marie. Pat and Marie celebrated their 65th anniversary last August. He is survived by his wife Marie; children Theresa, Marguerite, Georgianne, Pat Jr., Elizabeth, Veronica, Barbara and Tonianne. Pat is also survived by his sisters Toni Anne and Betty, and his brothers Mike, Frank and George. He was preceded in death by his siblings August, Marcus, Adele, Sylvester, Ray, Joe and Paul. Pat knew success in business and politics but education was his first and greatest passion, working as a teacher and principal in Albuquerque for 39 years. As a city councilor and county commissioner he was at the forefront of developing essential quality of life projects such as the Albuquerque Open Space program, the Albuquerque Museum, libraries and zoo. In the mid 1970's he was instrumental in fully desegregating the city's police and fire departments. Pat's whole life was spent asserting the values with which he was raised. He believed and acted upon the perspective that all people were family and deserved the dignity and love so clearly called for in the Gospels. He had a full and blessed life in every way possible and while he will be sorely missed, he will always be an inspiration to those who knew and loved him. There will be a rosary held at, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 5415 Fortuna Rd NW, Albuquerque at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5th. There will be a Mass, a celebration of his life, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 6th. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Norbertine Community, 5825 Coors Blvd. SW, Albuquerque 87121.
        Published on: Sun November 30, 2014