Neffie Montoya

NEFFIE NED MONTOYA, 68, a resident of Chili, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 1, 2021. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Montoya; parents, Nestor and Veronica Montoya; sister, Syria Rivas and husband Tomas; brother, Nestor Montoya and wife Christina.

Ned was a man of great faith and loved singing in the choir in San Juan. He was a jack of all trades and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was so giving and had a big heart. You would often find him making people smile with his little jokes. He retired from Los Alamos National Labs where he worked as a machinist. He currently worked as a custodian at James H. Rodriguez Elementary School where he was loved by many, by both staff and students. He often said he loved his job because he could be close to his grandkids and daughter. He took pride in his work and made sure that everything was spotless. He loved to spend time with his grandkids and was known to dance with them since they were babies. He loved to cook and enjoyed family gatherings. When he wasn’t working, he loved to go to the casino. Ned was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his daughter, Briana Velasquez and husband Michael and their children, Davina, Nicole, and Dominic of Abiquiu; son, Ryan Barrera and wife Kayla and their children, Aliyah, Yariah, Arianna, and Jeremiah of Ohkay Owingeh; companion, Esther Gurule; twin sister, Sarah Montoya; sisters, Darlene Montoya and husband Daniel, Mary Martinez and husband Jose, and Rebecca Castro; brother, David Montoya; Leslie Garcia whom he considered as a second daughter; godchildren, Miguel Martinez and Kayla Lopez; and many nephews, nieces, and special friends. A wake will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh, with a burial to follow at the San Jose Catholic Cemetery in Hernandez. Serving as pallbearers are Dominic Velasquez, Miguel Martinez, David Montoya, Gilbert Romero, Vidal Velasquez, Orlando Garcia, Robert Lopez, and Mack Ryan Gurule. Honorary pallbearers are Jeremiah Barrera, George Gutierrez, and Nathan Garcia. The family of Neffie Ned Montoya has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477 – www.devargasfuneral.com