Gustavo (Gus) Rodriguez

Gustavo (Gus) Rodriguez, 89, beloved, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away peacefully with his family surrounding him on May 5, 2022.

Born in Amarillo, TX, to Gustavo and Carmen (Valdivia) Rodriguez on April 13, 1933, Gus was 6 years old when his family moved to the Barelas neighborhood of Albuquerque, NM. He graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1952. Gus proudly served in the US Navy from June 1952 through June 1956 during the Korean War conflict. He graduated from the US Naval Training Center, Machinist’s Mate Class A, Service School Command on March 6, 1953. Gus served aboard the Heavy Cruiser USS Salem (CA-139) out of Boston, Massachusetts. Duties included the operation, maintenance and repair of the four turbine engines that powered the ship. During his time in the US Navy, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean six times including three 6month tours with the then 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. He attained the rank of MM3.

Upon returning to Albuquerque after 4 years in the US Navy, Gus married the girl across the street, Sarah Montoya, who he met at a USO dance. Gus was a fireman with the Albuquerque Fire Department before joining the US Postal Service from which he eventually retired after 38 years of service as a letter carrier. Gus and Sarah lived all their married life in the South Valley in the family home that he built. Gus enjoyed many activities throughout his life including camping, golfing, fishing, hunting, boating and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a life-long fan of the Los Angeles

Rams and was thrilled with their Superbowl victory in 2022.

Gus was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years Sarah, his parents Gustavo and Carmen, sisters Gloria Moore, Magdalena (Maggie) Brown, Rosemary Romero, Lucille Gonzales, Mary Louise Sandoval, and Pauline Rodriguez.

Gus is survived by his children Patti Gonzales and husband Tony, Gus P. Rodriguez and wife Yolanda, David Rodriguez and wife Diana, Lorraine Nunez and husband Albert, Daniel Rodriguez and wife Claudia; grandchildren Angel Whitaker, Juan Gonzales, Janelle Martinez, Jacqui Chumpolpakdee, Robbie Rodriguez, Krysten Rodriguez, Ryan Rodriguez, Melissa McPherson, Nathaniel Tarantino, Rebecca Kuest, Dominic Nunez, Natalie Nunez, Makayla Rodriguez, Abby Rodriguez; 11 great-grandchilden; sisters Carmen Chavez and Julia Rodriguez; and brothers Frank Rodriguez and George Rodriguez. Gus will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A special thanks to Maribel Marquez, Roadrunner Hospice, and all of Gus’s caregivers for their loving care.

Services will be held Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 309 Stover Ave. SE. Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. To view Service information or leave a condolence please visit www.TrujilloFunerals .com

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you remember Gus with mass intentions or make a contribution to a charity of your choosing.