Ruben Quintanar Abeyta, 81, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at Mimbres Memorial Hospital in Deming, NM. Ruben was born on November 18, 1940 to his parents Eusebio and Magdalena (Quintanar) Abeyta in Silver City, NM.
Ruben was a loving son, husband, father, grandpa (Popo) and Grandpa the Great. Ruben married the love of his life, Susie Sapien in 1963 and was married for 48 years. Ruben was a man of great faith and a life-long parishioner of St. Vincent Catholic Church. He served the church in many capacities and served as a Eucharistic minister, lector, usher and on the Parish Council. He was a 4th degree member of St. Christopher Council 3388 and served as a Grand Knight. He also was a Cursillista and lived his Cursillo to the fullest. Ruben was a Veteran and served in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1962. He always said his time in the military was one of the best times of his life. He worked for Phelps Dodge as a Diesel Mechanic. He loved the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, Raiders, going to casinos, playing bingo and gardening. He loved the outdoors, going fishing and hunting as often as he could.
Ruben was also involved in Silver City Little League coaching his sons’ baseball teams for many years. He impacted many lives during his years of coaching. His greatest treasure was his family. Ruben never missed a game and was our biggest cheerleader (softball, volleyball, basketball, football, baseball, tennis, cheer) or any activity or celebration his children or grandchildren were involved in. Ruben had a great sense of humor and was the life of the party. Any time spent with him always meant lots of laughter. He was always up for an adventure and “ready to go.” Ruben was a strong, hardworking, intelligent, humorous man, who always put his family first. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his two sons, Ruben Abeyta Jr. (Felicia) of Silver City, NM and Keith Dooley (Martha) of Tucson, AZ; his four daughters, Debbie Vigil (Joseph) of Deming, NM, Rita Abeyta of Belen NM, Clarissa Linhardt (Martin) of Denver, CO and Marcela Donatelli(Lance) of Denver, CO; his sister Ylaria "Lala" Pino of Silver City, NM; his fourteen grandchildren, Kayla, Elias, Maggie, Patricia, C.J., Alexis, Ashleigh, Zoe, Hannah, Sophia, Ava, Evan, Rudy and Jacob; his six great-grandchildren, Azariah, Ethan, Bailey, Micah, Graham and Baby Luca; and his numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife Susie Abeyta; his two brothers Francisco "Kiko" Abeyta and Eusebio Abeyta "Jumbo" Jr.; and his sister Natalia Nati" Catasus.
Visitation will take place on Friday, November 25 at 5:00pm to 6:00pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapel with the Holy Rosary commencing at 6:00pm, with Deacon Bill Holguin reciting. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 9:30am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with Father Oliver Obele officiating. Full Military Honors will immediately follow the Mass. Pallbearers are Ruben Q. Abeyta Jr., Keith Dooley, Elias Vigil, Evan Donatelli, Andrew Pino and Jonathan Abeyta.
Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.