Juan De Dios Padilla

JUAN DE DIOS PADILLA, 85, of Grants, New Mexico died very peacefully surrounded by his loving family on December 21, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Juan was born on April 16, 1926 in San Rafael, New Mexico to Epimenio “Eppie” and Lazarita (Sandoval) Padilla. Juan married his loving wife of 69 years, Tillie Chavez. Juan was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Grants, NM. He was a Navy World War II Veteran, member of the Knights of Columbus/VFW/DAV; and the American Legion. Juan was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Estolia Quinonez and Rosarito Apodaca; two brothers: Ben Padilla and Ramon Padilla. He is survived by his wife, Tillie of Grants, NM; sons, Ernie Padilla and wife Mary Ann of Glendale, Arizona and Johnny Padilla and wife, Patricia of Bloomfield, Colorado; daughter Lisa Massey and husband Richard of Albuquerque, NM and recently of Monterey, California; sisters, Josie Chavez, of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico and Erlinda Mirabal of Gallup, New Mexico; five grandchildren, Chris, Kevin, Priscilla, Ursula, and Jon-Pierre and four great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Francisca, Noah and Connon. Juan’s favorite words were “un dia la vez”; “one day at a time,” and truly lived his life one day at a time. He lived in Grants all his life. With the help of his wife, Tillie, they built their home, raised a family and lived in their home for almost 70 years. Juan worked in the uranium mines and was self-employed. He loved music and was a great dancer. In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Theresa Catholic School, 400 East High Street, Grants, New Mexico, 87020. The children always helped him at daily Mass, handing him the missal and opening the song book. When his friends and relatives would leave or someone helped him he always said “God Bless You”, “que Dios los Bendiga”. His last words were “God Bless You”, to his daughter. There will be a Family Memorial in Grants, New Mexico on Friday, December 30, 2011 at St. Theresa Catholic Church. The Rosary will be recited at 10:00AM followed by the Mass at 10:30AM.