Jose "Ben" - age 82 - El Rancho Roybal

BEN ROYBAL, 82, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away at home on Thursday, September 4, 2014 following a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cesario and Aurelia Roybal; sisters, Della Baldock and husband Gearald, Evelyn Milby and husband Bill; father and mother-in-law, Frank, Sr. and Carmen Zuniga; sister-in-law, Dolores Lopez and husband Oscar.\r\n \r\nBen served in the U.S. Army from December 1952 - November 1954; he worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory for 33 years and retired in October 1993; and was a member of the Matachines de El Rancho. His favorite hobbies included gardening, camping, dancing, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. He spent the years after retirement caring for his grandchildren and great grandchildren who were a huge part of his life.\r\n \r\nBen is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary; daughters, Christy Archuleta of San Pedro (James), Peggy Griego of Velarde (Richard), Judy Roybal of Santa Fe (Leonard), Frances Sanchez of El Rancho; sons, Benny Roybal, Robert Roybal and Jason Roybal (Sandra) all of Albuquerque, sisters, Diolanda Garcia (Manuel) of Rio Rancho, Grace Roybal (Eddie) of La Cienega; brother, Larry Roybal (Beverly) of Rio Rancho; sisters-in-law; Vicky Miranda (Henry) and Carmen Acosta (Patricio) of Mesa Arizona, Alice Swartz (Gary) of Riverview, Florida; brother-in-law, Frank Zuniga, Jr. (Pam) of Mesa Arizona; as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.\r\n \r\nOn Thursday, September 11, 2014, public visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Church in Pojoaque with a rosary to be recited at 12:00 noon. Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. with a burial to follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers, Benny Roybal, Robert Roybal, Jason Roybal, Richard Gonzales, Leonard Maez, and James Archuleta. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. \r\n \r\nThe family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to: Monsignor Jerome Martinez, Deacon Reuben Roybal, Amber Care Staff, numerous family, friends and the DeVargas Funeral Home Staff for their prayers and support. The family of Ben Roybal has entrusted their loved one to De Vargas Funeral Home and Crematory of the Espanola Valley.\r\n

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