Obituaries
Gene Hamby Elias “Benny” Gallegos
ELIAS “BENNY” GALLEGOS
Elias “Benny” Gallegos passed away on August 11th, 2017. He was one of the few among us born on Leap Year, February 29th, 1948 in the Village of Agua Fria. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1966 and went on to graduate with his Bachelor of Arts from the College of Santa Fe, with honors, Magna Cum Laude. Benny completed a tour of duty at the height of the Vietnam War. For two years he served as a Medic in the 1st Calvary Division of the US Army. He married Mary Sanchez prior to departing to Basic Training for Vietnam, and enjoyed 39 years of marriage until she passed away in 2004. In addition, he retired from the Energy and Minerals Department of NM State Government after 40 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his parents Melisendro and Senaida Gallegos, his beloved Mary Sanchez, his brothers Freddie Gallegos and Phillip Gallegos, and his in-laws: Lupe and Emma Sanchez, Charlotte Sanchez, Chris Sanchez, and David King.
He is survived by his beloved children: Elias Gallegos, Lenore Gallegos and granddaughter Marijke; his brothers: Jimmy Gallegos (Toni Ann), Jerry Gallegos (Helen), Johnny Gallegos and Rubel Gallegos (Alice); his sisters: Connie Prada, Tessie Montano, Olivia Chavez (Salvador); in-laws: Lupe Sanchez, Ida Pacheco, Cecilia Pacheco, Della De Baca, Dr. Irene Sanchez, Angie Ozuna (Ted), Jackie Sanchez, Jeanie Apodaca (Mickey), his companion Valerie Fisher (Nicholas) and many nieces, nephews, god children, relatives and friends,
Benny was big-hearted, always the life of the party, generous, kind, thoughtful, intelligent, hard working. He had an infectious smile, was quick with his jokes, always looked for ways to lend a helping hand which made him instant friends with everyone he met. He enjoyed riding his bike daily to stay fit, and had become a regular at the Chavez Center. He loved Santa Fe, it’s majestic sunsets, classic cars, a lover of philosophy and had a genuine interest in the cosmos. Benny spoiled his family and everyone close to his heart; and we are all certainly grateful for receiving the gifts of his love. He leaves behind many cherished memories, a life well-lived and a legacy of being a genuine, loving person.
Services will be held at St. Anne’s Catholic Church with Viewing at 6pm and Rosary at 7:30pm on Monday, August 21, and the Funeral Mass on Tuesday, August 22 at 10am, burial at the Veterans Cemetery at 12:45pm and a reception at St. Anne’s Reception Hall following the burial. Pall Bearers are Daniel Chavez, Raymond Prada, Tomas Montano, Nick Pacheco, Francisco Sanchez, Joey Apodaca, Timo Ozuna and Jake Trujillo. Honorary pall bearers: Matias Montano, Mel Prada, and Rick C de Baca. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Benny’s name to: support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Donate Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600 Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com
GENE HAMBY (1932-2017)
Gene Hamby passed away August 8, 2017, at age 85 in Parker, Colorado. Born Kenneth Eugene Hamby to Ferryl and Jonny Hamby in Bownwood, TX in 1932. Gene was the older brother to 2 sisters, Nita Stalcup, deceased and Peggy Marshall. He graduated from Texas Tech University and continued his membership as a Red Raider as well as his membership as an ASID until his passing. Gene was very lucky to find the Love of his Life, Donna Call and married Donna in 1983 in Lookout Mountain, CO in a lovely ceremony attended with his daughters, Brooke (Hamby) Trujillo and Courtney Hamby and his step-daughters Catherine Call and Wendy Call Kowynia. Gene and Donna retired to Santa Fe, NM in 1987 where they continued to enjoy their beautiful winters there and summered in Walloon Lake, MI on the water where they enjoyed fishing and golfing together. Donna passed away on May 23, 2017 of natural causes, leaving Gene with a broken heart. Survived by: His loving oldest daughter, Brooke (Hamby) Trujillo, Lone Tree, CO, daughter Courtney Hamby, Denver, CO, grandson, Todd Lail, Grand Junction, CO, sister, Peggy Marshall and husband Bob of Brownwood, TX and step-daughters, Catherine Call of Anchorage, AK, her 3 girls and Wendy Call Kowynia and husband Ken and their 2 boys.