Gabriel Maestas Jr.

Gabriel Maestas Jr., 86, a resident of Gallina, NM and most recently Cuba, NM was received by our Lord Jesus Christ Wednesday, October 30, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. “Junior” was born on Oct 7th, 1933 to Eloisa Jacquez and Gabriel Maestas Sr. who preceded him in death along with his brother Daniel Maestas, sister Mercedes “Lita” Chavez and granddaughter Jessica Sanchez.  Junior thrived in the mountains and on his ranch in Rincon; he enjoyed being on his horse, working cows or hunting.  Above all, Junior enjoyed having his family together.Gabriel proudly served our nation as a soldier in the US Army and a wild-land firefighter for the US Forest Service.He is survived by his wife of 55 years MaryAnn (Chacon) Maestas; daughters Evelyn Sanchez (Leroy) and Genevieve Velasquez (Toby); granddaughters Sherilyn (Brian), Marisa and Lexi; sisters Vangie Montoya (Presciliano) and Josephine Martinez (Alfonso); niece Julie(Raul) considered grandchildren Jaci and son Noah Gabriel and many God-children, nieces, nephews, family and friends. Public visitation will begin on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Gallina, with a rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.  also at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Gallina, with a burial to follow at the Gallina Catholic Cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers are Leroy Sanchez, Toby Velasquez, Brian McCoy, Daren Chacon, Amadeo Chacon and Paul Chavez, honorary pallbearers named are Cosme Chacon, Fulgencio Chacon, JB Chacon, Desi Chacon, Eddie Chacon, Manuel Valdez and Alfred Martinez.  The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and doctors who aided Gabriel in his time of need. The family of Gabriel Maestas Jr. has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com