Antonio Celestino Quintana Jr.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Antonio C. Quintana Jr. on 31 May 2025.

Antonio was born to Antonio Sr. and Eduvigen Quintana on 4 July 1936, and we all celebrated his birthday every year.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio Sr. and Eduvigen Quintana; siblings Johnnie Quintana, Joe V. Quintana; and sister Amada Herrera.

Antonio leaves behind his beloved wife of 67 years, Nora Quintana; children Imelda Chacon (Jesse) and Paul Quintana (Maria Elena); grandchildren Monica Martinez, Jessy Bear Chacon, Nicolas Quintana, and Sebastian Quintana; great-grandchildren Frankie and Isaac Salas; great-great-grandchild Max Salas; siblings Jimmy Quintana (Viola) and Alice Martinez; and his cherished nephew Tony Herrera, who was like a son to him.

Antonio Quintana was the 9th generation of Quintana’s to live and love the Espanola Valley. As a young man he joined the Marine corps and had the opportunity to see the world, including peace time Japan and Korea. Of both he always spoke of the good memories -- except for the cold.

After his time in the service, he found himself in California during the booming construction industries of the 1960’s and 1970’s. He started off as a security guard at the LA coliseum beginning his love affair with the LA Dodgers and Rams. He later moved to be close to his sister Amada Herrera in the San Francisco Bay area where he worked for Bethlehem Steel and later the Hunters Point shipyard where he finished his working career.

While in the Bay Area he met the love of his life Nora on a blind date. They have been together since, enjoying 67 years of marriage. There were many good times as well as challenging times, but through the move from California back to New Mexico he always worked to make things better as best he could.

His time in the San Francisco Bay area set his course for his second career which included carpentry, woodworking, plumbing, electrical, masonry, wood carving, Spanish colonial furniture making and all things traditional. He built his own house and many others in Northern New Mexico, working by himself and sometimes for others.

There was little he couldn’t do including all construction trades, traditional wood art, keeping the skill of slide rule use versus my calculator. Yet despite all this he remained a humble religious man, attending the same church as the prior 9 generations who preceded him in this Valley.

Antonio loved spending time outdoors, especially fishing, and delighted in taking his children and grandchildren on fishing adventures. He was a devoted family man who worked hard but always made time to enjoy life and share his knowledge with others.

In his later years he loved spending time with his favorite nephew, Tony Herrera. Together they had their morning routine and Tony was invaluable in helping with all the work that needed to be done. TBH like a son to ACQ.

A Rosary will be recited on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Santa Cruz de la Canada Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, NM, at 10:30 am, Mass to follow at 11:00 am, with Burial to follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:30 pm. Reception will take place at La Fonda de Sol (233 N Paseo de Onate, Espanola, NM).  

Serving as Pallbearers are Jesse Chacon, Frankie and Isaac Salas, Nico and Sebastian Quintana and Joseph Romero. Honorary Pallbearers are Timo Vigil, Silviano Quintana, Tony Herrera, Betty Romero Micheal Torrez and Michael Garcia.

The Espanola Valley will never be the same for us without Antonio Celestino Quintana.

The family of Antonio Quintana has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477