In Loving Memory of Rosario (Ross) A. Gagliardi

On Friday December 27, 2019 beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, cousin, pastor and friend Rosario (Ross) A. Gagliardi entered into the Lord’s presence.

Born in Trinidad on February 23, 1948 to Albert and Bernice Gagliardi, Ross was raised in Trinidad and graduated from THS in 1966. He went on to study at Otero Junior College to become an LPN and in the early days of his working life served at Ft. Lyons VA Hospital and Mt. San Rafael Hospital. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1969 and was honorably discharged as a Corporal after 2 years of service, spending some of his active duty time in Cuba and Naval Air Station Alameda. In 1972, he began what would become a nearly 43-year career with Harsco Track Technologies, a railroad machine manufacturing company. There was virtually no railroad track in the U.S. untouched by Ross’s expertise of the inner workings of the machines that laid and repaired track, including work on the major “T-Rex” light rail project in Denver, the Bay Area Rapid Transit System in San Francisco, the Metro in Washington D.C., along with work on rail lines as close as La Junta and as far as the Alaska Railroad, New Zealand and Peru. He ended his long career teaching a new generation of rail mechanics.

Ross had a family legacy of music passed down to him by his beloved Uncle Felix and he began sharing his own love for music in high school band with the trumpet. Then as an adult, he played lead guitar and vocals in a band in town, eventually translating his performance from the bar scene to the church when he gave his life to the Lord in 1994. From that point on, decisions small and large were guided by his faith. He became a deacon at First Southern Baptist Church in 1997 and eventually pastor of Stonewall Community Church in 2005 for 8 years. In his most recent ministry, Ross served as a Chaplain of Mt. Rose Health Center Palliative Care and Hospice. As an active leader in the faith community, Ross performed marriages, funerals, and counseling to so many in the Trinidad area and beyond.

Ross had a strong patriotic spirit and matched that with his love for motorcycle riding by participating in the “Run for the Wall,” a cross-country group ride to Arlington National Cemetery to honor the fallen, missing, and active duty U.S. troops around the world. He made the run in 2013 and again in 2017 as a Chaplain. Locally, he was instrumental in founding and serving as President of the American Legion Riders, of Post 11.

Ross was a devoted husband of almost 39 years to his wife Ruth and a loving father to sons Shane Gagliardi, Bryan Atkins, and daughter Glenna Bullock. He took great care to develop and foster a close relationship with each of his kids, catering to and supporting their interests, like hunting deer and elk with both boys, golfing with Shane, auto mechanics with Bryan and passing down a love for music to Glenna. Bringing great joy to him in later years were his 6 grandchildren: Katie, Logan, Shanya, Jessica, Ethan, and Stella. He also enjoyed a special relationship with his sister Frances Velasquez, always giving her something to laugh about but also taking great care to watch after her, as a protective brother.

Ross will be most missed for the example he set when he took up his cross to follow Jesus, the lighthearted nature of his humor which naturally leant itself to great passing conversations with just about everyone in town, whether in restaurants, at the store, or on the street. Ross never met a stranger, only a friend. Finally, we will miss seeing his strong desire to serve: God, his family, hospital and hospice patients, parishioners and friends.

Ross was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Bernice Gagliardi, Uncles Raymond, Sam, and Felix Torres, sister Phyllis Gagliardi, sister-in-law Mitzi (Weese) Gagliardi, and nephew Angelo Gagliardi.

Ross is survived by his wife Ruth, sons Shane Gagliardi and Bryan (Jeanette) Atkins, daughter Glenna (David) Bullock, siblings Lorraine (Art) Lucero, Albert Gagliardi, Frances Velasquez, and Veronica (Manny) Rodriquez. He was a special uncle to Maria (Richard) Dominguez, Regina (Jerry) Devaul, Mario and Jess Gagliardi, and Great Uncle to Brandon Salazar and Jerry Joseph Devaul.

Visitation will take place Monday, January 6th from 3PM-6PM at the Comi Funeral Home Chapel. The Funeral Service will be celebrated Tuesday, January 7th at 10AM at Fisher’s Peak Community Church, followed by the Interment at Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.