In Loving Memory of Pete Mileta

Pete Mileta, age 86, a lifetime resident of Raton, NM passed away on January 13. Pete was born in Van Houten, NM on October 21, 1935, to the late Lazo and Antonia Mileta. Pete cherished being raised in the coal camps of Koehler, Brilliant, and Van Houten before moving to Raton. Pete was the only boy with 7 sisters born to the couple. He married his wife Mary Nell Sipe in 1961 and they have been residents of Raton their entire marriage.

Pete is preceded in death by his parents Lazo and Antonia Mileta, half-sisters Josephine and John Rodman, Elizabeth and Fred Parker, sisters Mary Mileta, Emily and husband George Krulyac, Zita and husband Nickie Yaksich, Martha and husband Gene Menapace, brother-in-laws Buddy Vukonich and Charles Stevens.

He is survived by wife Mary Nell, son Pete Mileta, Jr. (PJ) and wife Wendy, and daughter Margaret Ann Mattorano and husband Michael.

His 6 beloved grandchildren, Justin Michael Mattorano, and wife Corey, Dante Lazo Mileta, and girlfriend Alyssa Aragon, Camryn Shea Mileta, Madisyn Jai Mileta, Jacob Matthew Mattorano and Jennifer Mia Mattorano.

He is also survived by baby sisters Helen Vukonich, Anna Stevens, and Sophie and husband Shorty Madrid. Numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins also survive.

Pete loved working for the New Mexico Highway and Transportation Department, retiring after 38 years.  He was project manager in Clayton for 13 years building the first 4-lane in NM on US 64/87 between Clayton and Texline. In addition to thousands of miles of paving and over 100 bridges, he loved telling you how he built the rest area by Des Moines. More important to him than the career were the friends he gained in the patrols, project offices, and District Four office. He considered them family. You could not drive in NM without him telling you the names of contractors that built the road you were traveling over.

Pete was an avid horseman, raising and racing over a dozen thoroughbreds with northern NM lineage. With wins at every NM track including LaMesa Park, some of Pete’s favorites included Yabuka, Mileaderfuff, Brilliant Special and his stakes horse See Ya Cat.

Pete had a passion for hunting, fishing, and gardening but nothing bigger than his love of sports. He loved his Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians. Playing for Raton’s first high school baseball team he pitched and played on a regional championship and state semifinal teams. From baseball, his passion turned to fastpitch softball where his last game was on the mound of a state title at the age of 45. His passion for the game was unmatched, and he was often seen in his truck with Mary Nell watching little league or high school games critiquing every pitch.

Pete embraced his various titles. He was a Project Manager, a Raton City Commissioner, NM Horse Breeder, and Owner, as well as a Retired Public Employee. His most cherished titles were son, brother, husband, father, and Uncle Pete until his grandchildren arrived. At that point, he became Papa Pete to everyone.

The family would like to also recognize Pete’s special friends in addition to his highway family. Those friends include Janet Marchiondo, Ricky Marchiondo, Roy Manfredi, Jerry Loula, Joe Clyde Lenochan, John McElroy, John T. Romero, Bill Serazio, Judo Yaksich, Bobby Tafoya, Mike and Jamie Marez, Honario Alba, Mike Ortega, the Gatti family, and the Dabovich family.

In lieu of flowers the family requests you join them in supporting Raton High School Baseball and Softball. In coordination with Raton Public Schools the Mileta family has set up a trust account at First National Bank of Trinidad, Donations can be made to Papa Pete Double Play.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. As Pete would say “See Ya Cat”.

Comi Funeral Home