Margarito "Maggie" Perea Dominguez was born on April 10, 1925 in Deming, NM to Vivian and Martina Dominguez. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 89 at Casa De Oro Center in Las Cruces on June 8, 2014. Until entering the care of Casa De Oro, he was a lifelong Deming resident.
Visitation will begin Friday afternoon June 13, 2014 at 4 o'clock at Baca's Funeral Chapel with a prayer vigil to follow at 7 o'clock led by Suzanne Lundy. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday morning June 14, 2014 at 10 o'clock at Saint Ann's Catholic Church with Father Enrique Lopez-Escalera, Pastor, officiating. Cremation will follow at Baca's Mimbres Crematory and inurnment will take place Monday, June 16 at 11 o'clock at Mountain View Cemetery with veteran honors accorded.
He served in the US Army during World War II, earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in the Philippines. After his service, he returned to Deming and began working to continue to support his mother and father. His destiny called in the mid-1950's when he began working at Brem Chevrolet. He went from the grease rack to the showroom floor and became "Your friendly Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac dealer." Maggie sold cars for almost 50 years, until dementia took its toll and he retired from The Sisbarro Superstore in Deming.
In 1966, he married Frances Chaires and they remained married for 45 years. She preceded him in death in 2012. They had one son, Michael, and one daughter, Maria Leticia (Missy).
Maggie was involved with multiple service organizations throughout his life. He was a member of LULAC, the Disabled American Veterans, Knights of Columbus (4th Degree) and Holy Family and St. Ann's Catholic Churches.
One of Maggie's greatest loves was music. He had his own band, Los Compas, in the 1950's. He then played with his cousins Pete and Narciso in the Pete Dominguez Orchestra in the 1970's and early 1980's. Love for his daughter, Missy, brought him out of musical retirement in 1995 to play for her wedding. After that event, the Dominguez Group continued to play dances at places like the Senior Citizens Center and the Moose Lodge. Even as his memory failed him, he continued to be able to play his saxophones.
Maggie is survived by his son, Michael (Tamara), and daughter, Missy Wortman (John). He had five grandchildren: Robert, Jacob, Mikayla, Maggie, and Christina. He is also survived by his sister, Carmen Pedraza, and brother, Vivian Dominguez, Jr.
Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Dominguez, John Wortman, Jacob Aguayo, Jaime Sierra, and Steve Turrie. Honorary pallbearers are Willie Uzueta and Ed Pillar.
Missy and Michael would like to thank the staff of Casa De Oro for the excellent care they provided their dad over the years and the family and friends who continued to visit him there.