This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Garcia, Perez, Casares Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/5108/mb.ashx Message Board Post: On Monday, January 3, 2011, Nacianseno "Cheno" Garcia, returned to his Maker's arms where his mother, Ascension Perez, father, Nacianseno Garcia, brothers, Luis, Vidal, Refugio "Cuco", Lupe and Lalo Garcia and sister, Maria Casares embraced him lovingly and rejoiced that they were together once again. His loving wife, Lily, of 51 years, will cherish their life together filled with the joys and sorrows of hard work and family life. His daughter, Patsy Lozano (Alejo) and his son, Bobby Garcia (Amalia), mourn deeply his passing, but take courage that he has prepared the way for them. His memory will be held dearly by his brothers, Felipe and Arsario "Chayo" of Mesilla and by his sisters, Angelita Montoya of San Pablo, Juanita Giron of Las Cruces, and Matilde Estrada of Mesilla. His grandchildren, Isaac and Elizabeth Martinez of Mesilla, Orlando Martinez (Selena) of Santa Fe, and Andres, Diego, Maya, and Roberto Garcia II of Mesilla; two great grandchildren, Nicholas and Tristan Martinez of Santa Fe, will hold his memory sweetly in their hearts. Numerous nephews, nieces and cousins will remember him fondly and his old friends will reminisce, ".en aquellos tiempos." Cheno was born January 21, 1935 in Mesilla. He and his wife, Lily were strongly motivated by his distinctive traditions that came to be the mark of a "Mesillero"; commitment to hard work, devotion to family and friends and having fun. Cheno attended Mesilla Elementary through the eighth grade when he went to work to provide for his father and younger brother. His first job with the McKinney's Grocery store at Four Points on Union Avenue and Highway 28, was a job that would last him through retirement forty-three years later. Later, Cheno went to work at the McKinney's in Mesilla Park. He ! became familiar with customers who came in to purchase their groceries many who later became well known in the Valley. As the company grew, Cheno was many times offered a supervisor position with the company, but each time turned it down, preferring to work was a manager at any of the stores. He thrived in the hands-on atmosphere of the store. Eventually, his experience became an invaluable asset to the growing company. His firsthand experience with the intricate and tangled details of operating a store made him a primary resource for organizing the smooth opening of other stores throughout the Las Cruces area. It was meticulous and painstaking work, but Cheno was gratified that his commitment to hard work was a source of pride for himself and his family. Cheno had a great sense of humor and took great pleasure in camping often organizing trips with his children, their cousins and friends. Rabbit hunting was a favorite sport on the west side of Mesilla. He also loved to play softball and basketball with the kids from the neighborhood. It was a long, arduous but highly gratifying journey from the times when he worked in the fields with his parents, to the time at work when Cheno bent the rules a bit to be generous to those in need, to when his children, Robert and Patricia were born and had families of their own. Visitation for Cheno will begin at 6 PM Friday, January 7, 2011 in the Basilica de San Albino, 2290 Calle de Principal in Mesilla where the Prayer Vigil is scheduled for 7 PM. Family and Friends will join together to celebrate the Funeral Liturgy at 10 AM Saturday, January 8, 2011 in the same church with Reverend Richard Catanach officiating. Cremation will follow and inurnment of cremains will take place at a later date in the San Albino Cemetery. Serving as casket bearers will be Victor Garcia, Johnny Estrada, Felipe Garcia, Jr., Freddie Giron, Michael Garcia and Luis Montoya. Honorary bearers will be Gilbert Garcia and Johnny Garcia. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels and Baca's Sunset Crematory. 527-2222 Your exclusive providers for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on January 6, 2011 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.