Eloy Torrez

ELOY TORREZ OBITUARY




On October 28, 2011, Eloy Gutierrez Torrez passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord with loved ones at his bedside. The Torrez family mourns the loss of a father, grandfather, great grandfather, greatgreat grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. A rosary will be recited at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Roswell, New Mexico, at 7:00 PM on Friday, November 4, 2011, with visitation beginning at 6:00 PM. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Saturday morning, November 5, 2011, at 10:00 AM at St. Jude Catholic Church in San Patricio, New Mexico, with burial to follow at the Hondo Cemetery. Following the burial, his life will be celebrated at the Hondo home of his brother and sisterinlaw, Larry and Dorothy Torrez.

Eloy Gutierrez Torrez was born February 28, 1912, to Martin and Isabel Gutierrez Torrez in the Hondo Valley, New Mexico. He spent a lot of time in his formative years with his maternal grandmother, Juanita Sanchez. They lived in Patos Flats, near White Oaks. He also recalled travelling with his Grandmother to Albuquerque, New Mexico by covered wagon along the Camino Real. Later he returned to live with his parents in Hondo, where he helped out on the farm and attended school. Eloy graduated from Hondo High School in 1932 in the midst of the Great Depression when times were hard and work scarce. He was able to obtain employment in Texas, and Colorado picking cotton and working in a mine. While in Colorado he worked in Durango and Grand Junction where he joined one of Roosevelts Depression era stimulus programs, The Civilian Conservation Corp CCC. It was during his time in the C.C.C. that Eloy first registered to vote and learned how to cook. He was also proud to say that while in C.C.C. he worked on the Million Dollar Highway Highway 550 between Durango and Grand Junction, Colorado. During his time in Colorado he corresponded with his girl back home, Savina Salcido, until he returned to Hondo in the spring of 1936.

Eloy and Savina were married on October 8, 1936 at St. Johns the Baptist Catholic Church in Roswell. Eloy worked at Walker Air Force Base and the family lived intermittently in Roswell, but they eventually moved back to the Hondo Valley where Eloy did a variety of work including, farming, carpentry and logging. In the early 1950s Eloy wrote a proposal to start the first school bus route in Hondo. At first the bus route was small, but it grew as more families on the south side of the Hondo River began having children. During his twentyfive year career as a busdriver, Eloy conscientiously attended the safety and education courses for drivers at Western New Mexico University in Silver City.

Eloy and Savina had 12 children, 10 of whom are still living. Eloy was active in the community, and involved in church and school activities. He promoted education for his children, and the majority has advanced college degrees in areas such as accounting, business, engineering, law, nursing, and education. Eloy was extremely proud of his children and their families.

Our Daddy gave us many memories, blessings, and words of advice. That is his true legacy. He was always kind, thoughtful, and so overwhelmingly giving. He loved his family and friends, and enjoyed visiting with them whether around the kitchen table or even if it meant travelling great distances to see them. He visited his compadre Salomon Saavedra in Washington, his compadre Eloy Anaya in California, and his cousin Mabel Brady Newbauer in Minnesota. In Hondo he talked at times with Savinas brothers Rafael and Diego into the wee hours of the morning. He truly enjoyed the platica around the kitchen table with his kids and others. He enjoyed a good story and had a great sense of humor.

He made regular visits to family and friends and trips to religious events with his wife Savina, such as to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, the rosary rallies held in Albuquerque, the annual vigil for Our Lady of Guadalupe in Tortugas, New Mexico, and many pilgrimages to Cristo Rey near El Paso, Texas. Eloy and Savina visited Truth or Consequences in the winter time for many years.

After retirement the folks moved to Roswell to be closer to family. Eloy continued his visits with family and friends. He attended daily mass, at the Poor Clares and enjoyed the company of his wife, children, and grandchildren. At the age of 92 in 2004, the Roswell Hispano Chamber selected him and wife Savina as the Don and Dona of the annual Pinata Fest celebration.

In his last years he enjoyed singing and praying with his children during their visits. His memory was still great and he recalled many historical events, and he always enjoyed a good laugh. Until the time of his death he continued to celebrate holidays and birthdays with his family.

Eloy is survived by eight daughters and two sons, their spouses, and 27 grandchildren: 1 Virginia and Gale Mathiasen and their children, Cathy, Richard, Donald and Cecilia, 2 Manuelita Porter and her companion Billy Richardson, and her children, Teresa, Ralph, and Connie, 3 Jennie and Tony Ortiz and their children, Michele, Melissa, and Tony Jr., 4 Monica and Felix Herrera and their children, David and Carla, 5 Eloy and Sheila Torrez and their children, Lauren and Aubrey, 6 Cecilia Torrez and her children Celena, Erica, and Jason, 7 Rebecca Eger and her children, Ronnie and Jasmine, 8 Maria and Gilbert Montes and their children, Melinda and Gilbert Jr., 9 Presiliano and Monica Torrez and their children, Raul Natalia and Camilo and 10 Martha and Simon Polaco and their children, Ana, Monica, and Alicia. He is also survived by 39 greatgrandchildren, 5 great greatgrandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death and welcoming him into heaven are his family, led by wife Savina, their baby daughter Maria Cecilia, daughter Dolores Davies, parents Martin and Isabel, sisters Rosalia, Prescilla, Minnie, Libby and Julia, and brothers, Fred and Ignacio.

Eloys pallbearers will be his grandsons: David Herrera, Ralph Porter, Tony Ortiz Jr., Ronnie Eger, Raul Torrez and Jason Copeland. Honorary pallbearers are also his grandsons: Donald Mathiasen, Richard Mathiasen, Gilbert Montes and Camilo Eloy Torrez.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to his doctors, Dr. Reynaldo Martinez and his granddaughter, Dr. Ana Arnett and those people who visited and cared for him in his last years.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Eloys name to the Poor Clares, 809 E. 19th St., Roswell. Friends and family may pay their respects online and memories can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com

Rosary 7:00 PM on Friday, November 4, 2011
St. Johns the Baptist
Catholic Church
510 South Lincoln Ave
Roswell, New Mexico 88203

Funeral Mass 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 5, 2011
St. Judes Catholic Church
San Patricio, NM 88301
Burial
Hondo Cemetery
Hondo, NM 88301

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
8:00 to 7:00pm

Service

Rosary

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, November 4, 2011
7:00 PM

Funeral Mass

St. Judes Catholic Church
Hwy 70
San Patricio, NM  88348
Saturday, November 5, 2011
10:00am

Cemetery

Hondo Cemetery
Hondo, NM  88301

Memorial Contributions

809 E. 19th St.
Roswell, NM  88201