Juanito (John) Aquino

Juanito (John) Aquino passed away on Monday, June 28, 2021, at the age of 94. John was born on Friday, May 6, 1927, to Lorenzo & Reyecita Aquino in Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan Pueblo), New Mexico. On October 28, 1950, John married Mary Ruth Jaramillo of Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico - a Registered Surgical Nurse whom he met while he was a U.S. Marine.

John was the fifth of seven children. Though he learned to work hard on the family land, being the only son and brother, he was quite spoiled.

John was raised in Ohkay Owingeh and was a young teen when his Aunt Emilia passed away. Through a sad situation, John's sibling count grew to lovingly include her six children - adding two more sisters and gifting him with four brothers who became a major part of his life.

John was an eleventh grader when the country decided to help our allies and entered WWII. As most young men during this worrying time in the world, he felt compelled to do what he could and enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corp.

After the war and with the stability of the world returned, John & Ruth married then settled for a time in Ohkay Owingeh in a small modest home he built for them. There they started their very large family that in time would grow to ten children - four boys and six girls.

In 1960, the family moved to Ohio where John gained training and skill that would set him on a long path as an employee of the Ford Motor Company and a UAW member. After living for a short time in Cleveland, John and Ruth moved the family to Elyria before finally settling in Lorain.

As the result of a work-related injury, John retired early and had a new home built in Ohkay Owingeh near their original marital home. John & Ruth returned with the family back home to pueblo life and to dedicating himself to his love of farming.

A major lesson John's parents taught him was giving back and helping the community. Discovering that the best way to help his community was to get involved in programs both governmental and charitable, he immersed himself in learning, working, and advocating for the improvement of elder care. This led him to becoming an active member of AARP, Appointment to New Mexico Indian Council Agency on Aging, a registered lobbyist for Elder Healthcare, and appointment to the State Policy Advisory Council.

His charitable work came from his devotion to his Catholic beliefs and the importance the church ministry has played in his life. He was a founding member of the San Juan Parish St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Over the years he made many friends that had taught him life lessons which he embraced into his life's philosophy. His many friends were never far from his thoughts, his heart, and his prayers till the end.

John has now joined in death his wife, Mary Ruth, his parents, Lorenzo & Reyecita Aquino, in-laws, Juan Andres & Juana Jaramillo, his son: Donald Aquino, sisters: Ciprinita  Chiwiwi and her husband, Epifania Garcia and her husband, Mary Torres and her husband, Emily Montoya and her husband, Cecilia Martinez, and Mary Isabel Cooka (sister-in-law)  brothers: Delfinio Calvert, Felix Calvert, and Marcelino Calvert

John is survived in life by John Edward (Evelyn) Calvert, Andrea Yates, brothers-in-law: Joseph Jaramillo, John (Margaret) Jaramillo, sister-in-law: Mary Katharine (Jim) Feagin, children:  Richard Aquino (Michelle Farrell), Pattie (Rich) Martincak, Josie Aquino-Virgili, Elviria Aquino, Mary Kathryn (Luis) Barrera, Marie Pacheco, Fran (Dolores) Aquino,  Melissa Aquino, Mike (Connie Romero) Aquino, and John's many much loved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will officially say goodbye to our father, John Aquino on Thursday, July 1, 2021, with a burial at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. The family of Juanito (John) Aquino has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com