Leopoldo Trujillo

Leopoldo “Polo” Trujillo passed away on March 6, 2017, as a result of a short illness.  Polo was born in 1924 in Rincon de los Trujillo’s in Upper Chimayó, New Mexico, and was one of 10 children born to Romanita Ortega Martínez and Esquipula DeAgüero (E.D.) Trujillo. Polo received his education at the John Hyson School in Chimayó, Allison James School in Santa Fé and Menaul School in Albuquerque.  He later attended the Spanish American Normal School in El Rito as well as the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands University.  He graduated from the American Institute for Foreign Trade in Phoenix and the Naval Academy Prep School in Maryland.  Polo was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. In 1953, Polo began his 30-year career with Pan American Airlines, which included assignments with Pan Am’s Latin American Division.  He also served in the Atlantic Division with stations in New York, Beirut during the Lebanon Civil War, and Teheran, assisting with the evacuations of Americans and other foreign nationals during the Iranian Revolution.  He also was stationed to Presidential assignments around the world flights.  Polo also studied at Maxim’s culinary school in Paris to better serve his clientele. Polo’s grandparents, Gavino Trujillo and Ursulita DeAgüero opened the first Chimayó Trading Post at Rincon de los Trujillo in the late 19th century.  His parents took over the business in 1917 and later moved to the “Y” in Española in 1924.  After the death of his parents, Polo began restoration of the building and the business in 1983, and he always had a cup of coffee and biscochitos for friends and visitors alike.  Polo operated the business and lived in the attached family home until his death. Polo was instrumental in having the original Chimayó Trading Post in Española listed on both the National Historical and New Mexico State Historical Registers, and the Trujillo family, was featured, along with other local families, as part of the American Encounters exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute’s American History from 1983 through 2002.  This exhibit featured contributions of Hispanic Americans to the American experience.  Polo was active in the promotion of Hispanic and Native American arts and collected antiques and works of art from around the world to sell and exhibit at the Chimayó Trading Post. Polo is preceded in death by his parents; partner, Beryl Steuart; brothers, Jerry (Eloisa Garcia), Ismael (Agnes Salazar/Elisa Borrego), Elias (Sally Zamora), Arturo (Susie Vigil), sisters; Rosenda (George Segura), Alicia (Pete Serna), and Juanita.  He is survived by his brother, Floyd (Lucille Borrego) and Cleo (Louis Peralta), as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and his long-time caregiver Amalia Valencia. Graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 12:45 p.m. at Santa Fé National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Northern New Mexico College Fiber Arts Department c/o Karen Martinez, 921 N. Paseo de Oñate, Española, NM 87532. The family of Leopoldo “Polo” Trujillo has entrusted their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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