Benjamin Trujillo passed away on June 6, 2015 at Raton Nursing and Rehab. Benjamin was born February 4, 1931 in Black Lake, New Mexico to Sarapio and Isabella Trujillo. Benjamin was the last of the Black Lake/Angel Fire TRUJILLOS.
Benjamin served in United States Army from March 1951 through March of 1953. He remained in the Ready Reserve and was Honorably Discharged in October of 1956. Throughout his service he was stationed at Ft Sill, Oklahoma and completed one tour in Germany.
Benjamin was proceeded in death by his wife Dora M. Trujillo in May 2002, his parents, 6 brothers: Tim, Tony, Curly, Andy, Tabby, and Guillermo, and 1 sister, Esther Coppy.
Benjamin is survived by his step-daughter, Sheila Tafoya and husband Pat; grandchildren: Patrick Tafoya Jr., Pennie Brown and husband Ryan Brown, Dr. Sarah Tafoya-Yang and husband Dr. Hanson Yang, and great-grandchildren; Alisha and Deidra Tafoya, Anthony, Joni, Hayley, Rylan, and Jessa Brown, and new baby Yang on the way.
Benjamin was raised in the Black Lake/Angel Fire area where his family homesteaded and owned The Trujillo Sawmill and Logging business. Since the age of 13, he drove logging trucks and operated numerous types of heavy equipment related to the logging industry. Benjamin logged in many areas of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, logging was his life. Prior to retirement wife Dora and he lived life to the fullest! They greatly enjoyed La Mesa Race track and betting the horses. After retirement Benjamin continued to enjoy the outdoors. He took pride in his yard and would get up at 5:00am to make sure his grass was green and, as he would say, “looking better then the city parks.” Every chance Benjamin got he would go up to the mountains to cut firewood. His excitement was evident and he wouldn’t hesitate on “learning” you how to fall a tree or how to stack wood to make it all fit better. Along with enjoying the outdoors, Dora also taught him how to cook. His specialties included green chili, Christmas empanadas, his jello especiale and unforgettable Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing. Benjamin also had a knack of making people laugh for hours. He had numerous stories, from the “Level”, to “As clean as Cold Water can get em.”
Benjamin took care of us like we were his own children, although he had no biological children of his own. He was a doggy babysitter, chauffer, mechanic from cars to lawn-mowers, landscaper, and an expert in driving and pulling the camper up to Sugarite State Park and bringing it back home. We couldn’t have asked for a better step-father and grandfather.
Benjamin lived a good, long, happy life and will be greatly missed by his family.
Graveside services will be held at Fairmont Cemetery in Raton on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 11 am.
Reception to follow the graveside services at Holiday Inn Express in Raton.
Obituary from Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home (Raton)
