Reminder that Funeral Services (Rosary) for our Brother Jose Martinez will be held on 5/20/24 (Monday)@ 1130 at St. Jude catholic Church … (see below)
Chuck Valdez
We are sad to report the passing of our brother Chuck Valdez. We were informed that there will be a family viewing on Tuesday 5/14/24 from 1800 – 2000 at Strong-Thorne Mortuary / Life Events Center (1100 Coal SE) … This event will precede the cremation and Funeral Service that will be scheduled at a later date … The family invites Chucks Fire Family to attend the viewing …
We will post Funeral Service information once the family establishes the services …
Questions ???? … call Sam @400-3644
John Elwell
John Elwell passed away today, (4/19/2024)
The services for John Elwell have been finalized, and in keeping with John’s wishes, there will be no Firefighter Honors at his services.
A Rosary was held at Holy Family Church, 562 Atrisco Dr SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105, on Sunday, April 28th, at 3:00 PM.
Mass was held on Monday, April 29th, at 9:00 AM. Burial was at Mt. Calvary, 1900 Edith Blvd. NE, immediately following Mass.
He joined AFD on February 14th, 1956, and retired on February 24th, 1984 as a Lieutenant. Please keep Brother Elwell and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
For questions please call Kerry at 505-934-2969
Jose Montoya
Jose “Joe Pete” Montoya passed away today (4/19/2024) as well. Joe Pete joined AFD on December 17th, 1973 as a member of the 24th Cadet Class, and retired December 29th, 1993. Joe Pete retired as a Lieutenant, and has had numerous relatives carry on the family tradition as members of AFD/AFR.
The date of services were Saturday, May 4th, in Estancia at Saint Peter Saint Paul Catholic Mission, 101 South 9th Street. Rosary started at 0800 and Mass was at 0900. Burial was at 123 County Rd immediately following Mass.
AFDRA Honor Guard stood vigil prior to the Rosary, and the Resolution of Condolence and the 4/5’s was conducted at graveside.
Please keep Brother Montoya and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Darrick Pino
Darrick Pino passed on Monday, April 15th. His service will be held on April 26th. Darrick was hired on 09-15-2003, and retired on October 1st 2023.
Mass was held at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 9502 4th St. NW, on Friday, April 26th, at 0900.
Interment followed Mass at Sandia Memory Gardens, 9500 San Pedro Dr NE.
At graveside, AFR conducted the eulogy and presented the Flag to the family followed by AFDRA’s Resolution of Condolence and 4/5 ceremony.
AFDRA Honor Guard was at Nativity by 0815 to assist AFR Honor Guard in escorting the urn into the church, exiting the church, and at graveside.
Please keep the Pino family in your thoughts and prayers.
.
Hilario Chavez
Hilario Chavez Passed on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024.
Hilario “HH” Chavez joined AFD on June 1st, 1960, and retired on April 1st, 1985. Hilario spent many years driving E-14, and his son, John Chavez, is also retired from AFD.
A Rosary was held at Gabaldon Mortuary, 1000 Old Coors Blvd. SW, on Wednesday, April 24th, at 7 pm, with a visitation preceding the Rosary at 630 pm.
Mass was held at San Martin de Porres, 8301 Camino San Martin SW, on Thursday, April 25th, at 11 am. Interment followed mass at San Jose de Armijo Cemetery, 2957 Arenal Rd SW.
AFDRA Honor Guard stood vigil during visitation at Gabaldon, and the Resolution of Condolence followed the Rosary.
AFDRA Honor Guard stood vigil at San Martins before Mass, and the 4/5’s Ceremony took place at graveside.
Please keep the Chavez family in your thoughts and prayers.
Jose Martinez
Today 3/22/24 we were notified that Our Brother AFD Retiree Jose T. Martinez passed away after a long battle with cancer … Jose joined AFD on 3/30/1970 ( 20th AFD Cadet Class ) and he retired on 12/20/ 1991 … Jose was very active with Our AFD Retiree Association and was a current member of the AFDRA Honor Guard … Jose was also a US Air Force Veteran …
Funeral Services for Our brother AFD Retiree Jose T. Martinez on 5/20/24 …. The services are scheduled as follows:
5/20/24
St. Jude Catholic Church …. Rosary @ 1130
Internment @ 1430 at Santa Fe National Cemetery
We will Honor our brother with Reading of Resolution of Condolence and Striking The Four Fives at St. Jude … Our AFDRA Honor Guard will “Stand Vigil” prior to the Rosary and they will “Strike The Four Fives ” following the Rosary as we exit the Church …
Our most sincere condolences to his wife (Helen) and the Martinez family …
Questions ???? … please call Sam @ 400-3644
Bill Busick
Today (3/17/24) we were notified that Our AFD Retiree Brother Bill Busick passed away earlier this morning … Bill joined AFD on 10/24/1962 ( 3rd AFD Cadet Class ) and he retired on 12/31/1985 … Bill Busick was in the first Paramedic Class that was taught at UNM School of Medicine … Bill was also a Veteran of the US Army …
The family requested an AFD FireFighter Funeral …
Funeral Services for Our Brother AFD Retiree Bill Busick were held as follows:
Celebration of Life Memorial Service
Tuesday April 2nd, 2024 at New Beginnings Church (4770 Montgomery NE) …
Visitation @ 0900 followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial Service @ 1000 …
A Reception followed the Memorial Service … Internment took place at Santa Fe National Cemetery @ 1430 …
AFDRA “Resolution of Condolence” and “Striking The Four Fives” took place during the Memorial Service … AFDRA Honor Guard “Stood Vigil” during the Visitation and Memorial Service …
“Father Bob” Martinez
We are saddened to report that Our Brother AFD Retiree Bob Martinez passed away yesterday ( 3/13/24 ) morning after a long battle with cancer and other illnesses … Bob joined AFD on 2/26/1968 ( #17 AFD Cadet Class ) and he retired on 12/21/1990 … Bob was fondly known as “Father Bob” due to his gentle and kind being …
Funeral Services for Our Brother AFD Retiree Bob “Father Bob” Martinez were held on Tuesday March 26th, 2024 … The services took place in Old Town at San Felipe De Neri Catholic Church …
Rosary @ 0930 … Funeral Mass @ 1030 followed by Interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery @ 1200 ( 1900 Edith NE ) …
The “AFDRA Resolution of Condolence” reading occured following the Rosary and prior to the Funeral Mass … AFDRA Honor Guard “Stood Vigil” prior to the Rosary and they “Struck The Four Fives” at graveside…
Phillip Garcia
Yesterday (3/9/24) we lost Our Brother AFD Retiree Phillip ” Phil ” Garcia who was involved in a fatal auto accident … Phil joined AFD on 4/16/1984 and he retired on 12/11/2003 … Phil was part of the 38th Cadet Class … Phil retired out of FMO as Division Commander … Phil’s brother David Garcia retired from AFD in 2010 …Phillip Garcia was a Veteran of The United States Air Force.
Services for our AFD Brother Phillip “Phil” Garcia were held on Wednesday, March 20th.
The Rosary took place at St. Joseph’s on the Rio Grande, 5901 St. Joseph’s Dr NW, at 08:15 on Wednesday, March 20th. Mass followed from 09:00 to 10:00. AFDRA’s Resolution of Condolence and the career eulogy followed Mass, and the 4-5’s was conducted in front of the church at 10:15. James Lamb played Bagpipes as the family exited the church.
The families receiving line and condolences was from 10:20 to 11:20 at the church. Interment followed at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 02:00 pm. The funeral procession left the church at 12:00, with the Last Alarm truck carrying the urn to I 25 and Tramway, where the urn was transferred to the hearse, and the procession continued to Santa Fe National Cemetery.
AFDRA Honor Guard Stood Vigil at the church from 07:45 to 08:15
AFDRA honor guard, preparing to strike the four fives
Retired firefighters in attendance
… Our sincere condolences go out to Patty Garcia (wife), David Garcia (brother) and the Garcia family.
Sebastian Mirabal
We were notified that Our Brother AFD Retiree Sebastian “Sammy” Mirabal passed away on 1/19/2024 … Sammy Mirabal joined AFD on 3/9/1964 and retired on 7/1/1985 … Sammy worked Alarm Room as a dispatcher most of his career … Sammy also had two brothers (Cruz & Pablo) that were part of AFD as well … Sammy was a Veteran of the United States Army …
The Memorial Service for Our Brother Sebastian “Sammy” Mirabal were held on March 2, 2024 starting with a gathering at The Noblin Funeral Home (418 West Reinken Ave. – Belen NM) @ 1300 … There was a Fire Department escorted funeral procession at 1330 to The Mirabal Residence located at #9 Mi Hita Lane, Adelino NM( between Belen & Los Lunas ) where the family had a “Celebration of Life ” Memorial Service honoring Sebastian’s life …
The family requested that AFDRA read the “Resolution of Condolence” and perform the “Striking the Four Fives” at the home during the “Celebration of Life” memorial …
For questions please contact Sam Trujillo, 505-400-3644, or Kerry Horton, 505-934-2969
Evaristo “Evy” Marquez
With much sadness, we were notified that today ( 1/17/24) Our Brother Evaristo “Evy” Marquez passed away… Evy joined AFD on 2/13/1957 and he retired on 12/30/1986 after 31 years of dedicated service to AFD …Evy was on our Charter when they organized and established our Fire Fighters Union IAFF Local 1455 (which precedes IAFF Local 244) …Evy also had two sons that followed in his footsteps and both Steve and Victor also retired from AFD .. He also has a grandson, Luke who is currently active with AFR.
Funeral Services for Our Brother, AFD Retiree Evaristo “Evy” Marquez were held Wednesday February 7, 2024 at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church (811 Guaymas Place NE)
Rosary @ 1000
Funeral Mass @ 1100
Interment followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery ( Paseo & Wyoming NE )
AFD Honor Guard “Stood Vigil” prior to the Rosary and Resolution of Condolence followed the Rosary. Striking the Four Fives was conducted at Graveside …
AFD Retiree Deaths Alphabetically
AFD Retiree Deaths 2000 – Present
